Epic Games Wins Court Case, Fortnite Seeks Reinstatement on Apple’s App Store

Epic Games announced on Friday that it has submitted Fortnite to Apple’s App Store, following a recent court ruling that favored the game developer in a long-standing legal battle. This development comes a month after a judge ruled that Apple cannot charge commissions on link-outs or dictate the appearance of those links, granting Epic Games a pathway for Fortnite’s return to iPhones.

Fortnite was removed from the App Store in 2020 when Epic Games implemented a software update that allowed users to make purchases directly through its website, bypassing Apple’s commission system. This prompted Apple to take swift action, leading to protracted legal disputes that have extended over several years.

Although the recent ruling is a significant win for Epic Games, there remains a possibility that Apple could reject the game’s submission. An Apple representative has not yet commented on this matter.

Furthermore, Apple is actively appealing the previous contempt ruling, which indicates that the conflict between the companies may not yet be resolved. The announcement by Epic Games adds another chapter to an ongoing saga that has seen both companies face off in courts and regulatory arenas worldwide since 2020.

Epic has also been engaged in a separate lawsuit against Google concerning its Play Store for Android devices. The implications of last month’s ruling have begun to alter the economic landscape of app development on iPhones.

Traditionally, Apple has taken between 15% and 30% of in-app purchases, but the ability to link to external sites could allow developers to circumvent these fees. Several companies, including Amazon and Spotify, have already adapted their apps to direct users to their websites for payments instead of using Apple’s in-app system.

Interestingly, Fortnite has been accessible on iPhones in Europe since last year through Epic Games’ store, thanks to regulations that allow third-party app stores under the Digital Markets Act. Additionally, players have been using cloud gaming services to enjoy Fortnite on iPhones and iPads.