The European Union entered the latest conflict between Apple and Epic Games. Bloomberg reports regulators will question Apple over its choice to ban Epic’s developer account. The Fortnite creator claims the move prevents him from launching the Epic Games Store in Europe.
When did this escalation begin? Epic CEO Tim Sweeney shared a post on X In January, it claimed it was trying to prevent Apple from complying with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) and called much of its recent policy announcement “hot garbage.” Apple’s rules include meeting the company’s Notarization requirements, paying a Core Technology fee after reaching the millionth download (about 54 cents per install per year), and showing proof of a $1.1 million loan that can be used for financial disputes. higher
A month after Sweeney’s post, Apple sent a letter “In no uncertain terms, please tell us why we should trust Epic this time.” Sweeney responded that the company “acts in good faith and will comply.”
Apparently Apple didn’t trust Epic and wouldn’t allow him to have a developer account. “Epic’s gross breach of its contractual obligations to Apple has led the courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate all Epic Games-owned subsidiaries, affiliates and/or other entities under Epic Games’ control at any time and at any time. It is at Apple’s discretion.’ “In light of Epic’s past and ongoing conduct, Apple has chosen to exercise this right,” the company said in a statement.
Sweeney’s response was visual, to say the least, saying, “It’s medieval feudal lords nailing the skulls of their former enemies to their castle walls.” CNBC reports.
The rift is the latest in nearly half a decade of trouble between the two companies — you can throw darts at a board full of fights in the tech industry (of which there are many) and still have a chance of winning at Epic Games. and Apple face to face. Friction between the pair began in 2020 when a Fortnite update allowed players to buy digital coins through a direct payment feature, thereby circumventing Apple’s rule that iOS games use in-app purchases (giving them a 30 percent discount). Epic sued Apple, California’s Ninth Circuit Court ruled in favor of the game developer. The Supreme Court refused to launch a case in which both Apple and Epic appealed the decision (Epic argued that there were “legal errors” and that Apple violated federal antitrust laws).
The EU’s decision comes as the DMA finally comes into force. The new law states that “goalkeepers,” Apple cannot prioritize its own systems, like Microsoft and Meta, or prohibit third-party developers from working with them. If found to be in violation of the DMA, Apple could be forced to pay ten percent of its annual worldwide revenue and 20 percent if it’s a repeat offense. . Apple recently received its first fine 1.8 billion euro ($1.96 billion) payment from the EU to restrict competitors’ music streaming programs.
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