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Apple Removes Fortnite From App Store [Update: Epic Files Lawsuit Against Apple]

Scipster said:
The lawsuit isn't about Fortnight. It's about the Epic's own app store.

If you read the complaint, Epic is seeking to open their own app store on iOS and iPadOS devices called Epic Games Store. They are claiming that since Apple rejected this, they are being anti-competitive.

"Apple has enforced these restrictions against Epic. Epic approached Apple to request that Apple allow Epic to offer its Epic Games Store to Apple’s iOS users through the App Store and direct installation. Apple’s response was an unequivocal “no”." (page 22)

Today's stunt was undeniably staged, particularly since it coincides with Epic's offering of Troy: Total War (an Epic Games Store exclusive) free of charge for today only to help promote their nascent platform and Macs and PCs.

However, this doesn't detract from the idea that Apple is (quite clearly) violating the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, which Apple willingly subjected themselves to by creating and operating a marketplace. They've likely been in violation for the past 10 years, but nobody had the resources to mount a legal challenge. Just like the Browser Wars of the 1990s, the courts will likely give Apple the same options it gave Microsoft: Apples can remove themselves from the situation by shutting down the App Store and removing all third party apps from iOS and iPadOS, or they can allow alternative marketplaces and payment processes to exist on iOS and iPadOS to comply with the law. Simply put, if Apple doesn't want to play by the rules, it should exit the US market and enter new markets where US laws don't apply.
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If Epic wins this and 3rd party app stores are allowed in iOS all of iOS’s security pretty much goes out the window. The App Store is there to protect consumers most of which aren’t overly tech savvy from the kind of virus and adware ridden crap apps that you find on Google’s platform. The official Play store has loads of problems with apps like this, and whilst the App Store isn’t always 100% perfect and some dodgy apps still slip through until Apple detect and remove them it’s still far safer than android.
 
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asdavis10 said:
Good. Fortnite doesn't provide third parties a way to sell within its game. Why should Apple allow them free real-estate for customers that Apple worked to build?

Apple's store. Apple's rules.
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Where do you suggest developers go to advertise and distribute their wares? Because as far as I know, the Apple has made the App Store the ONLY place to do so.
 
TVreporter said:
This is funny to me as my 8-year-old just yesterday started asking to play the game. Of course I said no but he sees his older cousins play and think it’s OK.

Not sure what the end game is for Epic but this could backfire longterm. Can’t see Apple letting them add new content.

Props for the video though — Hilarious stuff. They’ve been planning this publicity stunt for awhile.
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I see little to backfire. They‘re making Billions off of Fortnite. Epic is probably ok with losing iOS customers if they are only a small portion of profits. The game is popular enough that it can make people move to another platform Just to play it. I’m not sure how it is now, but a while back even Nintendo allowed Fortnite to work without being on their subscription service as a way to attract more console buyers.
 
jetrois said:
And that’s the reason I don’t shop at Walmart... not a reason to sue but if Walmart stopped me from shopping elsewhere would be a problem that’s the problem here Apple will have to let other stores open goggle got hit similarly a few years ago
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And apple doesn't stop you shopping else where for example android, do you think there are some products that can only be bought at Walmart? So in that case I have no choice but to shop at Walmart
 
Fly360 said:
How is it wrong when the developers don't have to have their app on iOS device ?
It seems like they want to use apples platform but not pay. And than try to act like its about the consumer
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When you develop a program for Windows or Mac OS you do not pay Apple 30% of your business to be able to sell to those users.
The Apple and Google store is a way to MONOPOLIZE and force 3rd party developers to
JM said:
Then take the business elsewhere. Businesses don't get to magically declare that they can do whatever they want wherever they want....
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That is exactly what Apple is doing, complete anticompetitive practice, by doing whatever they want.
And the issue is that there are no other options. Only other one is Google and they do the same.
 
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Oh this makes me so happy!!!

Timmeh! Your day has come. Tired of your BS self love and how perfect you are. I’m sorry but your rules are not reasonable nor transparent and also not equal. See how Amazon gets a 15% royalty to you and all else are at 30%. You are indeed not equal to all devs. The sooner this policy fails the better! Good job Epic!
 
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Apple is 100% in the wrong here and I hope they lose in court. Epic and the millions of other app developers pay for the app store in the form of the yearly developer program dues. It's time for the EU and other government agencies to put an end Apples draconian app store policies.
 
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I don’t think they thought this through.

Are they planning on waiting years for their case to be resolved before applying to be back on the App Store? Because if they change their app now to play by the rules, aren’t they accepting the rules and thereby rendering their case pointless? And if they decide to wait it out, why wouldn’t another company come in and create a better product during that period?

They didn’t think this through.
 
jetrois said:
yep but apple denies you from creating your own distribution channels thats the whole argument that you seem not to get they cant create their own store apple wont let it exist there are a few stores that would jump at the chance say Silo
Click to expand...

1597356688734.png


Seems Apple is powerless to prevent those other stores from existing...
 
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Scipster said:
Apples can remove themselves from the situation by shutting down the App Store and removing all third party apps from iOS and iPadOS, or they can allow alternative marketplaces and payment processes to exist on iOS and iPadOS to comply with the law. Simply put, if Apple doesn't want to play by the rules, it should exit the US market and enter new markets where US laws don't apply.
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You are aware if this is enforced it will be enforced on every single app store HQ'd in the USA?
I don't think Sony, MS, google etc etc would all allow epic to have it's own store on their devices. I am sure they would all group up together to fight this Epic gets the result they want in this lawsuit vs Apple.

Also it's just not epic. Every large development company would make their own app stores on every device to avoid paying the 30%. Imagine having to log into a separate app store for every different major game release on your iPhone or Playstation or Xbox?
 
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Kierkegaarden said:
I don’t think they thought this through.

Are they planning on waiting years for their case to be resolved before applying to be back on the App Store? Because if they change their app now to play by the rules, aren’t they accepting the rules and thereby rendering their case pointless? And if they decide to wait it out, why wouldn’t another company come in and create a better product during that period?

They didn’t think this through.
Click to expand...

Like PUBG? Oh... wait...
 
Dionte said:
If you don’t like Apples policies remove yourself off their platform. Go to Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, whoever. People want to come into your house and change your rules need to go build their own. It was not by force for them to be in Apples App Store.
Click to expand...


The issue is not whether developers like Apple's policies, it is whether Apple's policies violate US law. Apple, Google, Amazon, and others have been openly flaunting the Sherman Anti-Trust Act for the better part of the decade (hence the recent Congressional proceedings). One reason why Microsoft escaped scrutiny is that they only take a 5% cut -- which is still high comparatively speaking (the US average across all supply chains is 3% cut) -- but still considered "competitive" enough to comply with the law. If Microsoft charged higher prices, they'd likely face the same fate.
 
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kuwxman said:
Apple needs Fortnite more than Fortnite needs Apple.

*here comes the Apple's rules folks*

Apple just can't get out of their own way when it comes to gaming lately.
Click to expand...

Games come and go. Apple will still be around by the time fortnite becomes just another footnote in the history of gaming.

Epic has dug their own grave. They chose to blow up this matter in the most public way possible, and since they are no small-time developer struggling to make ends meet, Apple doesn’t have to pull any punches when retaliating.

And retaliate with overwhelming force Apple must. Epic broke the rules visibly and willingly, then they tried to garner goodwill in the press and tech punditry world by having people focus on Washington going after Apple, while relying on straw man arguments to back up their position.

They wanted a fight, now they have one. Don’t go disappointing me now, Apple.
 
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Rogifan said:
So macOS isn’t secure?
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If you're someone up to no good and wanted to hack iOS or macOS for your own gain, which would you rather exploit? There are 1.4B active Apple devices in the world, and over 900M of those are iPhones. Not only that, but iOS has got to have tons more "native" software than macOS by now, all residing in the Appstore. No doubt it takes more effort to scrutinize software for iOS, especially considering how much more content people carry on their phone, including things they can't manage, like their location and the mic and cameras. But if you're an honest Dev, you get access to almost 1B customers, at the cost of 30% of your sale.
 
Dionte said:
If you don’t like Apples policies remove yourself off their platform. Go to Android, Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, whoever. People want to come into your house and change your rules need to go build their own. It was not by force for them to be in Apples App Store.
Click to expand...
Epic is not suing MS, Sony, Nintendo for their consoles only having each a singular curated app store which in this respect is no different to the iOS app store. Epic cherry picked Apple now wbcause of the recent anti trust hearing.
 
Stuey3D said:
If Epic wins this and 3rd party app stores are allowed in iOS all of iOS’s security pretty much goes out the window. The App Store is there to protect consumers most of which aren’t overly tech savvy from the kind of virus and adware ridden crap apps that you find on Google’s platform. The official Play store has loads of problems with apps like this, and whilst the App Store isn’t always 100% perfect and some dodgy apps still slip through until Apple detect and remove them it’s still far safer than android.
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Don't only think iOS and the google app store. The Nintendo eShop, Xbox Store and Platstation Store will be totally affected by this too.
 
I really hope Apple just allows people to download apps from websites, have it disabled by default and a pop up that explains the risks when you turn it on.

Then these companies can have fun marketing their own app off the App Store.
 
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