Current:Home > ContactPredictIQ-Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe -StockSource
PredictIQ-Apple reverses course and clears way for Epic Games to set up rival iPhone app store in Europe
Charles Langston View
Date:2025-04-11 03:54:58
Apple has reversed course under regulatory pressure and PredictIQcleared the way for a nettlesome adversary, video game maker Epic Games, to set up an alternative store for iPhone apps in Europe.
The about-face disclosed Friday is the latest twist in a bitter fight between Apple and Epic Games, the maker of the popular Fortnite video game, over the way iPhone apps are distributed and the fees for digital transactions that occur within them.
Apple attributed the change of heart to reassurances from Epic that it won’t violate its requirements for getting access to iPhone owners. Epic had brazenly broke the rules in the U.S. in 2020 to trigger an antitrust lawsuit alleging Apple’s App Store is a monopoly.
After a month-long trial, a federal judge in 2021 rejected most of Epic’s claims in a ruling that withstood appeals, but the bickering with Apple has continued.
Apple had rejected Epic’s attempt to set up an account that would have allowed it to set up an alternative store for downloading iPhone apps — something that Apple has held exclusive control over for more than 15 years.
But a new set of regulations called the Digital Marketing Act, or DMA, that took effect in European Union’s 27-nation bloc earlier this week cleared the way for other companies to compete against Apple’s App Store — an opportunity that Epic was eager to seize upon.
Epic CEO Tim Sweeney had alleged Apple’s actions to stymie its efforts to open an app store in Europe were part of its efforts to retaliate against the video game maker for challenging a system that has been a huge money maker for the iPhone maker. Apple collects commissions ranging from 15% to 30% for digital transactions completed within iPhone apps, an arrangement that generates billions of dollars in annual revenue for the company while spurring complaints from Epic and other companies who rail against the fees as monopolistic price gouging.
European regulators signaled Apple’s rejection of Epic’s effort to set up an iPhones app developer account in Europe, based in Sweden, might run afoul of the DMA, raising the specter of potentially a substantial fine.
Apple didn’t mention the regulatory approval in a brief statement saying it is now satisfied Epic will follow all its rules.
Sweeney applauded regulators for taking swift action to rein in Apple in a social media post that hailed the outcome as “a big win for European rule of law, for the European Commission, and for the freedom of developers worldwide to speak up.”
The bad blood between Apple and Epic is far from over. Apple is demanding more than $73 million from Epic to cover its fees in the U.S. antitrust case over the App Store. A hearing on that demand, which Epic has described as outlandish in court papers, is scheduled later this month.
veryGood! (35)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- 'Black Swan murder trial' verdict: Ashley Benefield found guilty of manslaughter
- Jax Taylor Shares Reason He Chose to Enter Treatment for Mental Health Struggles
- 2024 Olympics: Tom Daley Reveals Completed Version of His Annual Knitted Sweater
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- China's Pan Zhanle crushes his own world record in 100 freestyle
- Olympics 2024: Simone Biles Reveals She’s Been Blocked by Former Teammate MyKayla Skinner
- Olympics 2024: Simone Biles Reveals She’s Been Blocked by Former Teammate MyKayla Skinner
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Michelle Buteau Wants Parents to “Spend Less on Their Kids” With Back-to-School Picks Starting at $6.40
Ranking
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- North Carolina Medicaid recipients can obtain OTC birth control pills at pharmacies at no cost
- A Guide to the Best Pregnancy-Friendly Skincare, According to a Dermatologist
- Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman recovering from COVID-19 at home
- New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
- The difference 3 years makes for Sha'Carri Richardson, fastest woman in the world
- Brad Paisley invites Post Malone to perform at Grand Ole Opry: 'You and I can jam'
- North Carolina Medicaid recipients can obtain OTC birth control pills at pharmacies at no cost
Recommendation
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Donald Trump’s EPA Chief of Staff Says the Trump Administration Focused on Clean Air and Clean Water
Blake Lively Debuts Hair Care Brand, a Tribute to Her Late Dad: All the Details
How Nebraska’s special legislative session on taxes came about and what to expect
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
Olympics gymnastics live updates: Shinnosuke Oka wins gold, US men finish outside top 10
1 dead as Colorado wildfire spreads; California Park Fire raging
Lawmaker posts rare win for injured workers — and pushes for more