Epic alleges that Apple has threatened to cut off its access to all iOS and Mac developer tools in an ongoing rift between the two. The action is seen as retaliation for Epic sneaking a new payment option into Fortnite.
Epic’s action stemmed from its disagreement with Apple’s app store policies and most notably, its commission on in-app purchases. Apple banned Fortnite from the App Store in response.
Epic then filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple in a bid to go toe to toe with the tech giant. The company in the suit claims that Apple’s app store terms place illegal restrictions on the distribution of iOS apps. The company took to its Twitter page to announce the suit.
Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store and has informed Epic that on Friday, August 28 Apple will terminate all our developer accounts and cut Epic off from iOS and Mac development tools. We are asking the court to stop this retaliation. Details here: https://t.co/3br1EHmyd8
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) August 17, 2020
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Epic shared a letter from Apple that states that the company would terminate Epic’s inclusion in the Apple Developer Program. The Apple developer program’s membership is necessary to distribute apps on iOS devices or use Apple developer tools.
The letter states that Apple will carry out the action if Epic does not “cure [their] breaches” to the agreement within two weeks. This will also mean Epic will be unable to notarise Mac apps as part of the punishment for breaching Apple’s developer agreements.
The inability to notarise its app would make installing Epic’s software more difficult or block it completely. Apple requires that all apps must be notarised before they can run on newer versions of macOS. This applies even if the apps are distributed outside the App Store.
Epic, meanwhile, filed for a preliminary injunction against Apple. Its prayers are that the court stops the company from its proposed actions. The company says it will be “irreparably harmed long before final judgment comes” without the injunction.
“Apple’s actions will irreparably damage Epic’s reputation among Fortnite users and be catastrophic for the future of the separate Unreal Engine business,” Epic says.
Epic is also asking that Apple reinstates Fortnite with its lowered prices and alternate payment option to the App Store.
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