Apple Bans Epic Games’ Developer Account in Europe; ‘Fortnite’ Maker Alleged It Is a Retaliation Move

Apple Inc. and Epic Games Inc.’s conflict escalated after the former reportedly banned the latter’s developers’ account on its European app store. The move will prohibit the video game and software developer from launching its town third-party app store for iPhone and iPad users in the region.

According to the New York Post, Apple blocked the developer account for Epic Game’s Swedish affiliate. This effectively ended Epic Game’s plans to offer “Fortnite” and its own “Epic Games Store” to users of Apple mobile devices.

Intensified Long-Running Feud

It was reported that Apple announced it would allow third-party app stores on its devices not long ago, but now, it has blocked Epic Games’ account. The iPhone maker initially gave its approval to comply with the new rules under the European Union’s Digital Markets Act.

At any rate, the progression of events only escalated the companies’ legal conflicts, which have been running for a few years already. Epic Games said Apple’s action is a serious breach of the E.U.’s DMA and shows the company has no plans to allow its rivals on its iOS devices after all.

“In terminating Epic’s developer account, Apple is taking out one of the largest potential competitors to the Apple App Store,” Epic Games stated in its announcement regarding Apple’s termination of its developer account. “They are undermining our ability to be a viable competitor and they are showing other developers what happens when you try to compete with Apple or are critical of their unfair practices.”

The game publisher added, “If Apple maintains its power to kick a third-party marketplace off iOS at its sole discretion, no reasonable developer would be willing to utilize a third-party app store, because they could be permanently separated from their audience at any time.”

Apple’s Response

Variety reported that in response, Apple said it has the right to remove Epic Games’ developer account from its app store platform based on the September 2021 ruling issued by a U.S. district court after the latter sued Apple for alleged antitrust violations. The company reiterated that the court stated it had a contractual right to avert its Developer Program License Agreement with any or all of the “Fortnite” developer’s subsidiaries and affiliates at that time.

“In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to exercise that right,” Apple’s spokesperson said in a statement.

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