Epic Games sued Apple and Google

Epic Games initiated a coordinated legal and public relations campaign against Apple Inc. and Google after both companies removed Fortnite from their app stores. The removal followed Epic Games introducing a direct payment option inside the mobile version of Fortnite, bypassing the in app purchase systems required by Apple’s App Store and Google Play. This change violated platform policies that require digital purchases to use official payment mechanisms subject to commissions. Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store on the same day, and Google later removed the game from Google Play. Shortly after the removals, Epic Games filed lawsuits against Apple and Google, alleging anti competitive practices related to app distribution and payment rules. The company also launched a public campaign that included a video titled Nineteen Eighty Fortnite, which was shown inside the game and posted online. The video referenced Apple’s 1984 advertisement and criticized App Store restrictions. Epic also announced a hashtag campaign and published legal filings outlining its objections to platform control and commission fees commonly referred to as a 30 percent cut on in app purchases. The dispute focused on Apple’s requirement that developers use its in app payment system for digital goods, with Epic arguing that the policy limited competition and increased prices. Apple stated that Epic had deliberately violated App Store guidelines and that the rules applied equally to all developers. The events of 13/08/2020 marked the start of a legal battle between Epic Games and Apple that continued through court proceedings and regulatory discussions about app store policies.