Epic Games has taken a renewed legal step in its ongoing battle against Apple, filing a motion in court that seeks to compel the tech giant to reinstate Fortnite on the iOS App Store. The action is part of a broader conflict between the two companies that began in 2020 when Epic attempted to circumvent Apple’s in-app purchase system, leading to Fortnite’s removal from the App Store.
In the new court filing, Epic is requesting Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers — who previously presided over aspects of their antitrust trial — to enforce a more favorable outcome regarding Apple’s platform policies. Specifically, Epic wants to regain its developer access and allow Fortnite to be offered again on iPhones and iPads.
The legal move reflects Epic’s continued resistance to Apple’s control over mobile app distribution and payment systems. Apple mandates that all iOS apps distributed through its App Store must use its proprietary payment system, from which it takes a commission. Epic argues that this model stifles competition and innovation by not allowing third-party app marketplaces or alternative purchase options.
The timing of the filing is significant as both companies have faced increasing regulatory pressure around the world. Legal and legislative bodies in regions such as the European Union have introduced or are considering rules against dominant app marketplace practices.
The legal saga between Epic and Apple has been closely watched as a potential precedent-setter for digital economy practices, particularly regarding platform openness, developer rights, and consumer choice. The outcome of this renewed legal effort could have broad implications for how major platforms manage and monetize mobile content.
As of now, Apple has not publicly responded to the new filing. The court’s decision on whether to grant Epic’s request will determine whether Fortnite — one of the most popular online games globally — will return to the App Store after a nearly four-year absence.
While Epic continues to distribute Fortnite on other platforms such as PlayStation and PC, its absence on iOS, a major mobile platform, has significantly limited its reach. The company remains vocal about its mission to challenge what it regards as monopolistic behavior in digital marketplaces.
Further developments in the case are expected as the court reviews Epic’s latest legal motion.
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