Fortnite is set to make a comeback on the Australian App Store, following a landmark legal ruling that found Apple and Google guilty of breaching competition laws by banning Epic Games from their platforms. This mirrors the game’s return to the U.S. App Store earlier this year after a similar decision.
Fortnite Returns to the App Store In Australia Following A Long Drawn Legal Battle With Apple
Epic Games was removed from the App Store in 2020 after bypassing Apple’s 30% commission by adding its own in-app payment system which was a clear violation of Apple’s rules.
The legal battle that followed saw Apple mostly prevail, but a judge ruled that developers must be allowed to use alternative payment methods. Apple resisted, leading to further legal action, where the court found the company had been in breach of the ruling and even referred the matter for criminal investigation.
In May, Fortnite returned to the U.S. App Store and quickly shot to the top of the charts.
The Australian Ruling
In Australia, according to a report by ABC, Judge Jonathan Beach ruled that Apple and Google misused their market power by banning Fortnite and preventing alternative payment methods. The judgment specifically criticized conduct that:
- Blocked sideloading of native apps
- Prevented developers from offering direct downloads
- Stopped users from using alternative payment systems
Justice Beach said the way Apple ran its App Store and its requirement that developer’s use its payment platform had negatively impacted competition.
He said Apple had “engaged in conduct… that had the purpose or is likely to have or had the effect of substantially lessening competition in such markets”.
“Specifically, conduct that prevents or prohibits the direct downloading or sideloading of native apps and conduct that prevents or prohibits developers and users from using alternative payment methods.”
Epic Games confirmed the ruling paves the way for Fortnite and the Epic Games Store to return to iPhones in Australia.
Apple, however, maintains that it strongly disagrees with parts of the decision, even though the court rejected some of Epic’s claims.
In a statement, Apple said, “we welcome the Australian court’s rejection of some of Epic’s claims, however, we strongly disagree with the court’s ruling on others.”
“Apple faces fierce competition in every market where we operate. We continuously invest and innovate to make the App Store the safest place for users to get apps and a great business opportunity for developers in Australia and around the world,” it said.
What’s Next?
While this is a big win for Epic in Australia, the future remains uncertain in other regions. With Apple’s continued legal resistance, Fortnite’s return in some countries, including the U.S., might still be temporary.
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