Posted by Joe Rossignol
Apple today announced that it has terminated Epic Games Sweden's developer account worldwide due to untrustworthy behavior by the game's developer.
Apple shared the following statement with MacRumors:
Epic's flagrant violation of its contractual obligations to Apple has prompted the courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate” any and all subsidiaries, affiliates and/or other wholly owned entities of Epic Games and/or other entities under the control of Epic Games, at any time and in Apple's sole discretion.” Given Epic's past and present conduct, Apple decided to exercise this right.
In a letter sent to Epic, lawyers representing Apple said that Epic was “provably untrustworthy.” Apple said it could not be sure that Epic would follow the terms and conditions of the Apple Developer Program in the future.
Epic said it intended to use the Swedish account to launch the Epic Games Store on iOS in the EU, and this would bring the Fortnite app back to the iPhone. Starting with iOS 17.4, Apple allows alternative iPhone app stores in the EU as part of its compliance with the Digital Markets Act.
Epic said in a press release that Apple is terminating the Swedish developer's account. “a serious violation” of the Digital Markets Act and “shows that Apple has no intention of allowing true competition on iOS devices.”
More from Epic's response:
By closing Epic's developer account, Apple is eliminating one of the biggest potential competitors to the Apple App Store. They undermine our ability to be viable competitors and show other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or criticize their unfair practices.
Epic Believes Apple Suspended Swedish Developer's Account Partially Linked with Epic CEO Tim Sweeney's public criticism of Apple's proposed Digital Markets Act compliance plans. Epic shared a letter it received from App Store head Phil Schiller, who did say that Sweeney's “violent criticism” of Apple's plans, as well as Epic's history of “intentionally violating contract provisions with which it does not agree,” strongly suggest that Epic does not intends to follow Apple's Developer Program rules if reinstated.
The legal battle between the two companies began in 2020 after Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store on iPhone due to Epic introducing a direct payment option application. for the in-game currency V-Bucks, in violation of the App Store rules. In what appears to be a planned move, Epic promptly filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of anti-competitive behavior.
Apple had already terminated one of Epic's other developer accounts in 2020 after the company violated its rules. App Store rules with Fortnite trick.
Epic continues to sue Apple in both the US and Australia, and it looks like the highly publicized legal battle is far from over.
Tags: Epic Games , Epic Games and Apple Guide [750 comments]
