Epic Games sues Apple and Google in UK over Fortnite and store policies

The creators of the popular battle-royale argue that both “abused their dominant position.”

Without a doubt, one of the great stories last year in the world of video games they starred, mainly, Epic games and Manzana (though Google was also involved). As you know, the creators of Fortnite tried to skip the payment of the fees that any application has to pay for transactions made in the App Store and Apple withdrew the battle-royale from the platform.

Google and Apple participated in anti-competitive agreements and concerted practices in the UK and the EUEpic gamesAll that history has passed through various phases, harsh accusations from each other, lawsuits, and even statements by the case judge of the United States saying that all this mess could affect Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony. We’ll see how it all ends, but now we add another page to the story. As GamesIndustry.biz has reported, Epic Games will sue Apple and Google for the same question in UK.

Epic has confirmed to the media that it will file the lawsuit next January 21st before him Competition Appeal Court from the UK, although it appears to have already submitted reports during December. According to the creators of Gears of War, Apple and Google “they abused of [su] dominant position “in the market and” participated in agreements and concerted practices anti-competitive“, both in the United Kingdom and in the European Union.

Epic Games requests

The main thing Epic Games wants is for Fortnite to be available again in the stores he retired from and allow direct payments. Also, the lawsuit against Apple and Google has some differences. In the case of Manzana, Epic wants prevent that apple can restrict download from the Epic Games Store on any Apple device in the UK. Also, look for an order that avoids obligation to download the software only through the App Store and handle payments through it.

In Google’s case, Epic wants the court to order the company “to stop enforce pre-installation from Google Play on all Android devices in the UK and [de exigir] that phone manufacturers give priority to this store over others. “In addition, Epic claims that Google” stops preventing manufacturers make agreements with Epic about pre-installing the Epic Games Store [en los terminales]”.

Reactions from Epic Games and Apple

Epic games does not seek compensation and the company remains convinced that the Google and Apple deal is unfair. In a new statement to GamesIndustry it has made it clear: “Epic does not seek damages from Apple or Google in the UK, Australia or the US, simply seek fair access and competition that will benefit all consumers. “It should be remembered that Epic is also in legal disputes in Australia against Apple.

This statement has been submitted by the Vice President of Communication and Policy of Epic Games, Tera randall, who has insisted that it is good for users: “We believe this is an important argument on behalf of consumers and developers in the UK and around the world who are affected by the misuse of power market share of Apple and Google “.

Finally, Apple also wanted to give its version: “[…] Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store. […] In ways that one judge has described as misleading and clandestine, Epic enabled a feature in their app that was not reviewed or approved by Apple, and did so with the express intention to violate App Store guidelines that apply equally to all developers and protect customers. “

The apple company is clear about its position: “Your reckless behavior [el de Epic] converted the clients in pawns, and we hope to make this clear to the UK courts. “We shall see how this dispute proceeds, which undoubtedly it doesn’t look like to finish soon. In December we also learned that Epic gave Samsung phones to influencers with the slogan Free Fortnite following their campaign against Apple.

More about: Fortnite, Epic Games, Apple, Google, Ios and Android.