Epic Games‘ five year legal battle against Apple has cost the developer well over $100M in legal fees alone, and CEO Tim Sweeney says that the total cost has been north of a billion dollars.While Sweeney thinks it was worth it, one high-profile Apple commenter has his doubts – suggesting the legal victory doesn’t necessarily mean Fortnite will be allowed back into the App Store … A quick recap Epic Games flouted Apple’s App Store rules by introducing its own in-app payment system, bypassing Apple’s 30% commission.That was a blatant breach of Apple’s rules, and the company threw its games out of the App Store.
The two companies went to court, and – but the judge ruled that the company must allow developers to make in-app sales through their own channels without the iPhone maker taking a cut.Apple responded by declaring that it would continue to demand commission even on sales made outside the App Store.Epic returned to court to fight this, and the judge confirmed that Apple lied under oath, was flouting her ruling, and must now comply.
She’s even referred the matter for criminal investigation.Apple is now complying – with companies like Amazon and Spotify immediately taking advantage of this.The iPhone maker does, however, plan to appeal.
Fighting Apple cost Epic Games over $1B In an interview with Peter Kafka, Sweeney outlined the financial hit the company took by choosing to fight the case.Sweeney said it was worth it.John Gruber has doubts Sweeney’s sums are calculated on the basis of Epic being able to return to the App Store, now making significantly more money.
He said yesterday that he expects Fortnite to be back on the iPhone within a matter of days.However, Apple hasn’t restored the company’s US developer account.Epic plans to use an EU account it opened after being banned in the US, but Apple commenter John Gruber isn’t at all confident that will be allowed.
9to5Mac’s Take Gruber is technically right, though the judge might take a dim view if Apple first had to be dragged back to court to be berated for not complying with her ruling, and the company then decided to comply while excluding the company that brought the case.It probably wouldn’t be wise for Apple to refuse, but then it wasn’t wise to let things reach this ridiculous point … You’re reading 9to5Mac — experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day.Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop.
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