Tuesday, August 25th 2020
Epic Games Gets Partial Relief in Legal Battle with Apple
Epic Games and Apple are engaged in an ugly legal battle over Epic's decision to add an in-app payment system for "Fortnite," in violation of Apple's terms. All in-game micro-transactions are expected to be routed through the App Store. Apple essentially de-platformed Epic Games, and "Fortnite," which would have far-reaching implications including restrictions on third-party games using the Unreal Engine. On Monday, Epic Games got a partial and temporary relief against Apple's action, in the form of a temporary restraining order which prevents Apple from terminating the developer accounts of Epic Games, and restricting the use of Unreal Engine by game developers on Apple platforms.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers hearing the matter, however ruled that Apple isn't required to restore "Fortnite," which it banned after Epic Games added its in-game payments system that stepped on Apple's toes. Epic Games in its prayer to the Court argued that Apple's actions brought "irreparable harm" to the company. The Court disagreed. "The Court finds that with respect to Epic Games' motion as to its games, including Fortnite, Epic Games has not yet demonstrated irreparable harm. The current predicament appears of its own making." She argued that Epic Games "strategically chose to breach its agreements with Apple."
Sources:
The Verge, Tech Ghost (image credit)
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers hearing the matter, however ruled that Apple isn't required to restore "Fortnite," which it banned after Epic Games added its in-game payments system that stepped on Apple's toes. Epic Games in its prayer to the Court argued that Apple's actions brought "irreparable harm" to the company. The Court disagreed. "The Court finds that with respect to Epic Games' motion as to its games, including Fortnite, Epic Games has not yet demonstrated irreparable harm. The current predicament appears of its own making." She argued that Epic Games "strategically chose to breach its agreements with Apple."
47 Comments on Epic Games Gets Partial Relief in Legal Battle with Apple
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvonne_Gonzalez_Rogers
Sounds fair enough, given Epic breached the TOS to test the waters.
www.scribd.com/document/473210410/Email-exhibits-from-Epic-v-Apple#from_embed?campaign=SkimbitLtd&ad_group=66960X1514734X2e74cf15a6c99f7f54e831098126f378
Exhibit EWe know that you know what we know that you know we know, and furthermore, we knew it all along.
Imagine if this were translated to the days before online book sales. All them magazines that have subscription offer cards in them, now have to pay 30% to Barnes and Noble for every subscription! Would shit like that fly back then?
Will Epic get what they really want - enough media coverage to provoke a more in-depth review of the Apple and Google store ecosystems regarding anti-competition/monopoly laws?
Perhaps, but that's going to open a whole can of worms and I'm willing to bet that Google and Apple's combined legal teams have already gone through their terms with a fine toothcomb; fine enough that the law will have to be changed rather than there being any infringement up to that point.
- Apple went to far making an example with all dev accounts and Unreal Engine
- Fortnite app broke TOS, so it get banned until further notice
Pretty much in line with most comments on the matter across different topics.
Guess the lawyers are the most mad but heck they are on retainers so guess all is good but I'm sure they wanted more court time :p
It's also worth noting that this judge also presided over a jury trial in 2014 in which Apple was shown to not be monopolistic in it's app store practices. Which sucks for us because it does seem from everything that has been leaking out lately that they ARE monopolistic in their app store practices. I know she has no say over that decision obviously as it was a jury trial.
This is coming from someone who’s only personal Apple product is an iphone provided by my employer.
Hopefully they can pay apple and googles lawyer fees for this frivolous lawsuit.
A little research would have saved you a pointless post.