EPIC GAMES FILES, Motion For An Injunction Against Apple!

EPIC GAMES FILES MOTION OF INJUNCTION AGAINST iOS GIANT’S THREAT TO REVOKE ALL DEVELOPER ACCESS.

The drama intensifies as Epic Games files a motion for an injunction against Apple over its threat. A move from Fortnite developer after taking a stand against Apple’s hefty cut of money developers generate via its App Store, however, the lawsuit from the game developer meant no signs of backing down. The latest motion for an injunction filed against Apple took effect on Monday at the U.S. District Court for California’s Northern District after it received a letter notifying Epic Games that its developer accounts and access to developer tools would be blocked in the next 11 days.

It’s understood, Epic is faced with the option of losing the two major platforms as a mobile game developer, and that isn’t fun. Bearing in mind that Android and iOS constitutes virtually the world’s mobile platform.

Meanwhile, in the latest injunction motion, the subject game company cited concerns over Apple’s action against its developer access which will potentially see damages on its business stretched beyond Fortnite, specifically its work on Unreal Engine, which is also its prominent game engine Epic licensed to third party software developers. But Epic’s primary aim of its latest injunction is the company accusing Apple of “retaliation” while reasserting its purpose to disrupt what it sees as Apple’s monopoly over its mobile software market.

As regards Epic games filing a motion, it became necessary for Epic to move as fast as possible in this direction in anticipation of Apple’s intent. However, looking at the whole picture,

“[Apple] told Epic that by August 28, Apple will cut off Epic’s access to all development tools necessary to create software for Apple’s platforms – including for the Unreal Engine Epic Games offers to third-party developers, which Apple has never claimed violated Apple policy” the motion stipulates.

“Not content simply to remove Fortnite from the App Store, Apple is attacking Epic’s entire business in unrelated areas. Epic is likely to succeed on the merits of its claims, but without an injunction, Epic will be irreparably harmed long before final judgment comes”.

It seems Epic has something of its sleeve, looking at its deliberate act of breaching Apple and Google’s policies last week, just as it added a discounted direct payment option into its apps, intentionally excluding an intermediary by creating a workaround specifically for Fortnite players to make direct purchases in the game. Being very much aware that Apple would definitely act quickly to remove Fortnite from its App Store based on policy violation, also, the game company had a patent right campaign against Apple in place, while launching an antitrust suit coupled with a Fortnite-themed spoof on the tech giant.

Based on this development, the iOS giant made it clear in a statement over Epic Games situation, stating that:

“The App Store is designed to be a safe and trusted place for users and a great business opportunity for all developers. Epic has been one of the most successful developers on the App Store, growing into a multibillion-dollar business that reaches millions of iOS customers around the world. We very much want to keep the company as part of the Apple Developer Program and their apps on the Store. The problem Epic has created for itself is one that can easily be remedied if they submit an update of their app that reverts it to comply with the guidelines they agreed to and which apply to all developers. We won’t make an exception for Epic because we don’t think its right to put their business interests ahead of the guidelines that protect our customers”.

What is your take on Epic Games filing a motion of injunction against Apple?