Epic Games and Apple are once again embroiled in a contentious dispute over Epic’s attempts to launch its Epic Games Store on iOS. This latest chapter began with Epic’s announcement that Apple had initially rejected their notarization submission for the store.
Apple cited concerns over the design similarities between Epic’s “Install” button and Apple’s own “Get” button, as well as the likeness of Epic’s “In-app purchases” label to Apple’s corresponding label.
In response, Epic argued that their design choices were in line with industry standards seen across various app platforms and accused Apple of arbitrary obstruction. They further escalated the issue by bringing their concerns to the European Commission under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), indicating a readiness to launch both the Epic Games Store and Fortnite on iOS within the European Union, pending Apple’s cooperation.
This rejection is just the latest development in a protracted conflict between Epic and Apple, stemming from Epic’s decision to implement its own in-app payment system in Fortnite, thereby circumventing Apple’s standard 30% commission on transactions.
This move sparked a legal battle in the United States, where Epic sued Apple for anti-competitive practices, leading to Epic being banned from the App Store and a subsequent legal injunction.
Despite the injunction, tensions continued to simmer, and the European Union’s implementation of the DMA added a new dimension to the dispute, compelling Apple to adjust its policies regarding third-party app stores in Europe.
However, Epic’s efforts to establish its storefront on iOS have encountered resistance from Apple, as evidenced by the recent rejection of their submission.
The ongoing conflict highlights the wider regulatory and competitive hurdles that major tech firms face in digital marketplaces, impacting consumer choice and developer rights. As Epic and Apple navigate these legal and regulatory landscapes, the outcome is poised to shape the future of app distribution and competition within the iOS ecosystem.
