Apple further escalated its fight with Epic Games, filing a countersuit to prevent the creator of the game from using its own payment system for Fortnite.
Apple is seeking monetary damages to make up for the loss of fees, according to a document filed Tuesday in federal court in Oakland, California. Last month, Epic launched a payment system that bypassed Apple’s App Store, so the iPhone maker did not get a purchase cut within Fortnite. Apple prevented new users from downloading Fortnite on its platform in August, but existing copies of Fortnite can still use Epic’s system.
Epic sued Apple on August 13, claiming that the removal of the Fortnite app from the App Store is “retaliation” for the game maker’s decision to offer in-app purchases through its own marketplace. Epic was denied a court order that would have temporarily prevented Apple from removing Fortnite from the list. Epic did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The case is turning into a major antitrust battle over tolls of up to 30% that Apple charges developers when users make in-app purchases. Epic has filed a separate lawsuit with similar claims against Google.
Apple said in Tuesday’s filing that Epic’s actions have damaged its business and customer relationships. Apple stated in its presentation, “Epic’s conduct actually interferes with Apple’s relationships with its consumers, particularly those who made purchases through Epic’s unauthorized third-party purchasing mechanism, thereby depriving Apple of financial benefits was done.
Contrary to Epic’s claim that the App Store is anti-competitive, Apple said the store provides a service and helps developers make money.
More than $ 116 billion in 2019 App Store sales of nearly $ 140 billion “went completely into the back pockets of app developers,” Apple said.
