Apple strongly disagrees with ruling that could change the App Store as Fortnite says it could now return to iPhones

Date:
Thu, 01 May 2025 10:43:14 +0000

Description:
Fortnite could soon be back on the App Store, but Apple isnt happy. Here's
the latest twist in the App Store saga explained.

FULL STORY

Apple and Fortnite developer Epic Games have been going through a very public spat over the past few years, with much of the disagreement centered on fees that Apple charges apps for running on its platforms. Now a judge has ruled that Apple deliberately flouted a court-ordered injunction and it could
result in Fortnite dramatically returning to the App Store.

The court order in question stated that Apple must allow third-party
developers to tell their users that they could get cheaper deals by buying
apps on different websites or app stores that is, by going somewhere other than the official App Store.

However, the judge who presided over that case has now declared that Apple undertook a willful violation of the order. Thats because while Apple allowed developers to link to external app stores, it still charged a commission on these purchases, and also kept a tight rein on how these off-site links could be worded and presented.

The judge ruled that this was a continuation of the anti-competitive
practices that the original injunction sought to prohibit and has told Apple
to immediately change its App Store practices.

Apple now cannot prevent developers from telling users about external app stores, cannot dictate where external links are placed or how they are
worded, and cannot charge a commission on sales made outside its own App
Store.

For its part, Apple has told MacRumors that we strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the courts order and we will appeal. Clearly, this whole saga is far from over.

What does this mean for you?

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this case is the way it might affect
the game at the heart of it all: Fortnite . The mega-popular title has been banned from the App Store ever since Apple declared that Epic Games was
trying to circumvent Apples commission. Soon, though, it could make a
dramatic comeback.

Thats because Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney recently took to X to announce that Fortnite will return to the App Store next week. At the same time, Sweeney announced a peace proposal that could end the dispute with Apple once and for all.

In Sweeneys words, If Apple extends the courts friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, well return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.

The original ruling only applied to the U.S. App Store, hence Sweeneys suggestion that Apple should apply the new rules across the globe. If Apple does, we could be in for a major shake-up of the App Store with Fortnite leading the way.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/apple-strongly-disagrees-with-ruling-that-cou ld-change-the-app-store-as-fortnite-says-it-could-now-return-to-iphones

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