Apple blocks ‘Fortnite’ maker Epic Games’s app store plans in Europe as public war escalates
NY Post
Apple blocked “Fortnite” maker Epic Games from launching its own third-party app store for iPhone and iPad customers in Europe – a stunning escalation of the long-running legal feud between the two tech giants.
The Cupertino, Calif-based company terminated the developer account for Epic Games’ Swedish affiliate, effectively nixing the video game maker’s plans to offer “Fortnite” and its “Epic Games Store” directly to Apple customers. Apple had approved the developer account just a few weeks earlier.
The broadside came on the eve of a key deadline to comply with the European Union’s Digital Markets Act – a sweeping law aimed reining in Apple and other so-called “gatekeeper” tech companies. Apple had previously announced it would allow third-party app stores on its devices in order to comply with the new rules.
Epic Games described Apple’s move as a “serious violation of the DMA” that “shows Apple has no intention of allowing true competition on iOS devices.”
“In terminating Epic’s developer account, Apple is taking out one of the largest potential competitors to the Apple App Store,” Epic Games said in a statement. “They are undermining our ability to be a viable competitor and they are showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or are critical of their unfair practices.”
Apple said in a statement that it believes it has the right to revoke Epic’s developer agreement because past court rulings found it has “sole discretion” to terminate such deals for contract violations.
