This is a new setback for Epic Games after the Supreme Court rejected its complaint against Apple for anti-competitive practices.
Launched in 2020 with an enormous trial, a complaint by Epic Games against Apple, the publisher behind Fortnite, for anti-competitive practices and monopolies, has just received a new postponement.
A (small) win for Apple
After banning Epic Games from Apple’s application store, the App Store, the US Supreme Court has dismissed yet another appeal seeking a de facto hearing. The ban came after the rules were denounced by Epic, which offered its users the option to override payment functionality within apps (or “in-app” purchases).
Epic Games’ aim was to avoid paying the 30% fee imposed by Apple when in-app or game purchases are required in the App Store.
But it’s a mixed win for Apple. Appealing to the United States Supreme Court, the company tried to bide its time against American authorities after an initial ruling forced it to authorize the presence of a link that allowed it to avoid going through its own billing system. The Supreme Court’s decision not to investigate the case puts an end to the relief given to the iPhone maker.
However, there is also the consequence of not forcing Apple to restore Epic Games and Its popular video game Fortnite Within the App Store.
Apple needs to make iOS more open
If in the United States, the game seems to be over – until the next turn, Apple should, on the contrary, show openness in Europe. With the advent of the Digital Market Act, or DMA, the European Union will force it to offer the possibility to access other app stores on iOS, which is currently done with the App Store. This new law is to come into effect from March 7.
Note that in another trial, this time between Epic Games and Google, it was definitely the publisher of Fortnite that won its trial, but the search giant announced that it would appeal the decision.
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