Key Points:
- Fortnite still blocked on iOS despite court ruling allowing alternative payments.
- Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers blasts Apple for ignoring the order and being anticompetitive.
- Apple may face court hearing if it doesn’t comply or justify its actions by May 27.
- Epic wants Fortnite updates restored, but Apple claims Epic violated past rules.
- The judge calls Apple’s response a “gross miscalculation” and warns there’s no “second bite at the Apple.”
The Court Isn’t Playing Around, But Apple Still Might Be
Let’s just say the courtroom popcorn is running out fast.
If you’ve been keeping up with the Epic Games vs. Apple saga, you already know it’s been a long and messy ride. The latest twist? A U.S. judge has basically told Apple to stop playing dumb and follow the dang rules.
Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers isn’t happy. After already issuing a ruling that Apple must allow alternative payment options in the App Store (i.e., let developers steer users toward other platforms for payments, something Epic has been fighting for since the Fortnite ban), Apple responded with… a giant nope.
Instead of complying, Apple decided to appeal the ruling and block Fortnite from updating in the App Store. That’s right, Epic can’t bring Fortnite back just yet, because Apple is still locking the door on it. Earlier Epic had submitted Fortnite twice to the App Store, following which Epic asked the court to step in and take notice.
Judge Rogers has now issued a sharp message asking Apple to explain why it shouldn’t be forced to comply immediately.
Apple’s Not-So-Sneaky Move
Here’s where it gets spicy.
In her statement, Judge Rogers said Apple made a “gross miscalculation” by ignoring the court’s decision, and she’s not buying any of their excuses. She even accused Apple of “willfully” trying to maintain its lucrative revenue stream by creating “new anticompetitive barriers.” Yikes.
Worse? One Apple executive is being accused of lying under oath. That’s never a good look, especially when the court is already annoyed with you.
Related: Apple’s Scare Tactics for Third-Party App Payments Could Backfire
And let’s not forget: Apple did terminate Epic’s developer account back in the day, claiming they violated App Store rules. But now that a court has ruled some of those rules were unfair, Apple’s position looks less righteous and more… defensive.
What’s Next: Court Showdown Incoming?
If Apple doesn’t resolve this without more courtroom drama, a company executive could be forced to appear before the judge in person on May 27th. Not ideal for a company trying to project that “we’re doing everything by the book” image.
Judge Rogers said it plainly: “There is no second bite at the Apple.” (Yes, she went there.)
Is This the Endgame?
Probably not. Epic vs. Apple is one of those legal sagas that seems like it’ll outlive all of us. But this moment? It’s important. It sets the tone for how Big Tech is held accountable – or not – by courts trying to enforce fair competition.
On a personal note, it’s kind of wild watching a trillion-dollar company behave like a kid trying to negotiate their way out of a grounding. Apple has all the tools, lawyers, and money to handle this properly… but instead, it’s dragging its feet and playing it like Fortnite’s a minor inconvenience.
Spoiler: it’s not. It’s a symbol. A very public one.
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