Category: Apple|Sep 13, 2021 | Author: Admin

Epic is blocked forever on all Apple platforms

• Epic Games
• apple
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Apple lost on one key point in principle in the Epic-Apple case that began in August 2020 after Fortnite was removed from the App Store. The judge ordered Apple to accept alternative payment methods in the App Store.

The ruling could mean the end of Epic Games' game engine Unreal Engine on all Apple platforms

During the trial, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez asked Rogers Epic if it would be sufficient to abolish Apple's rules prohibiting developers from disclosing external sites where you can purchase subscriptions instead of inside the app itself.

 

Both lost, but Epic probably lost the most
On the last day of the trial, the judge indicated that she had reached a compromise that would not please either party, and that was the result. Both sides lost, but Epic probably lost the most.

 

The judge ordered Apple to accept alternative payment methods in the App Store, and that was the case in many ways.

 

But Apple, which has understood which way the wind is blowing, has already opened the door for alternative payment solutions and presents itself as the winner.

 

It may also make sense to look at how the ruling downgraded Epic's original claim that Apple is an illegal monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act.

 

Epic has "actually broken Apple's guidelines"
Epic, for its part, is far from happy with the verdict that will be costly for them, and anchors.

 

According to Judge Rogers, the termination of Epic's App Store account is valid as the gaming company has in fact violated Apple's terms and conditions.

 

For this reason, the judge will not force Apple to let Epics into the App Store. Epic Games must also pay compensation to Apple for in-app purchases for which no 30 percent commission was paid, around $ 3.6 million.

 

Potential billionaire bang for Apple
But those millions pale in comparison to the billions that Apple could lose if this change to the App Store is legally enforced. Apple earns about $ 19 billion a year on apps, of which $ 6.3 billion in the United States.

 

The court found Epic Games responsible for breach of contract and that Apple was in its full right to terminate the agreement between them:

 

1. Compensation in an amount equal to (a) 30 percent of the $ 12,167,719 revenue that Epic Games had from Fortnite users on iOS through Epic Direct Payment between August and October 2020.
   
   

2. Plus (b) 30 percent of the corresponding revenue for Epic Games from November 1, 2020, until the sentencing;
   
   

3. (a) Apple's termination of the agreements between Epic Games and Apple was valid, lawful, and enforceable, and (b).
   
   Apple has a contractual right to terminate its agreement with one or all of Epic Games' subsidiaries, affiliates, and/or others. companies under Epic Games' control at any time and at Apple's sole discretion.

 

Epic's developer account terminated by Apple
In 2020, Epic Games updated Fortnite for iOS where they introduced their own payment system for content in the game.

 

The company promoted the new system as a cheaper way to buy gaming items as it released the commission to the App Store.

 

Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store and when Epic Games sued Apple, Epic's App Store account was permanently removed. With Rogers' ruling, Apple is not obligated to let Epic back into the App Store.

 

Bad blood. Everything from Epic is blocked
The ruling does not oblige Apple to let Epic back into the App Store - neither with Fortnite nor other of the company's apps -

and there is so much bad blood between the two companies that Apple is likely to set aside commercial profit considerations.

 

After the South Korean National Assembly passed a bill that would ban large platform owners from refusing app developers to use their own payment systems.

 

Epic has applied to get Fortnite back on the App Store for relaunch in South Korea, but Apple refuses.

 

Epic's developer account has also been terminated by Apple. That could mean the end of Epic Games' game engine Unreal Engine on Apple's platforms and with it all games from Epic - unless the Open App Markets Act goes through.

 

Open App Markets Act
Democrats and Republicans have agreed on a bill that would allow for greater competition between app stores and would force Apple to open iPhones for third-party app stores and page loading.

 

If the bill passes, neither Apple nor Google will be able to require developers to distribute apps through their app stores or to use their in-app payment system.

 

Whether the Open App Markets Act will require Apple to let Fortnite into the App Store is unclear, but the bill will allow page loading and then Epic has in many ways achieved what they wanted - we should not ignore that Epic vs.

 

The Apple case has been a driving force behind the Open App Markets Act.

 

Redirect to services outside the App Store

Earlier this month, Apple announced that it will allow developers to redirect users to subscribe to services outside the App Store.

 

With the ruling, the company will be forced to allow this for all kinds of apps. Apple's plan was to roll out these changes in the first half of 2022, but Rogers gave the company 90 days to comply with the decision.

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