Apple Approves Epic Games’ Marketplace App in Europe Amid Ongoing Feud

Apple has approved Epic Games’ marketplace app for iPhones and iPads in Europe, following escalating tensions between the two companies. This approval comes after Epic Games, the creator of the popular game “Fortnite,” accused Apple of obstructing its attempts to establish a games store on Apple devices.

Apple clarified that the recent dispute involved the Epic Sweden AB Marketplace and was unrelated to the “Fortnite” app, which had already received approval. According to a Reuters report, app developers and antitrust regulators have frequently criticized Apple’s stringent control over the iOS app ecosystem.

Prior to Apple’s approval, Epic Games revealed that Apple had twice rejected its submissions for launching the Epic Games Store. The rejections were due to the design of certain buttons and labels, which Apple claimed were too similar to those used in its App Store.

Read more: Supreme Court Rejects Epic Games’ Challenge Against Apple’s App Store Policies

In response, Epic Games took to social media platform X to express its frustration. “We are using the same ‘Install’ and ‘In-app purchases’ naming conventions that are used across popular app stores on multiple platforms, and are following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps,” Epic stated. “Apple’s rejection is arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA (Digital Markets Act), and we’ve shared our concerns with the European Commission.”

The European Commission, which began investigating Apple’s app validation processes and the allowance of alternative app stores last month, declined to comment on the matter when approached by Reuters.

The legal battle between Epic and Apple dates back to 2020, when Epic accused Apple of violating U.S. antitrust laws by charging up to 30% commissions on in-app payments on iOS devices. In response to the Digital Markets Act, which came into effect in March, Apple proposed changes to its App Store policies. These changes included permitting alternative app stores on iPhones and allowing users to opt-out of using Apple’s in-app payment system. However, Apple introduced a “core technology fee,” which has been criticized by several developers as exploitative.

Source: Reuters