Nöbetçi Eczaneler
Fortnite’s Legal Victory: A New Chapter for Epic Games
Epic Games, the creator of the popular game Fortnite, has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing legal battle with Apple. This dispute initially emerged when Epic Games removed Fortnite from the iOS App Store. The move was a direct response to Apple’s stringent policy requiring the use of its proprietary payment systems, which Epic Games argued was restrictive and unfair to developers.
In a landmark decision, the US courts have ruled in favor of Epic Games, mandating that the iOS App Store must permit external payments. This ruling follows a similar decision in Europe, marking a victory on both fronts for Fortnite. Following this outcome, Epic Games’ CEO, Tim Sweeney, announced that Fortnite will be relisted on the US App Store platform as early as next week.
Moreover, Sweeney has extended an olive branch to Apple. He proposed that if Apple chooses to adopt the payment system liberalization measures agreed upon in the US and the EU in other regions, Epic Games will withdraw all active lawsuits against them. This move could potentially lead to a more harmonious relationship between the two tech giants.
With the new ruling, payments within Fortnite will be processed through an external web infrastructure, ensuring a seamless experience for users. Epic Games has also committed to a revenue model where developers retain 88% of earnings. Furthermore, if developers opt to use their own payment systems, they are entitled to keep 100% of the proceeds. Despite these developments, Apple has indicated its intention to appeal the court’s decision.
