Epic vs Apple Lawsuit: Apple rejects the request to restore Fortnite developer accounts in South Korea is rejected by Apple. ‘Fortnite’ creator Epic Games asked Apple on Thursday to reinstate its account on the iPhone maker’s iOS platform in South Korea, allowing it to add its payment method. This is the latest tussle between the iPhone maker and app developers over fees. The smartphone maker is facing a lawsuit filed by Epic Games last year alleging abuse of its dominance in the mobile app market.
South Korea has taken the lead in the battle against app store operators by passing a bill preventing companies, such as Apple, from forcing software developers to make payments through their systems, effectively preventing them from charging commissions on in-app purchases.
Around September 15, the law will take effect.
On Tuesday, Epic announced it had asked Apple to restore its Fortnite developer account. The company added: “Epic plans to re-release Fortnite in Korea on iOS in compliance with the new Korean laws. Epic vs Apple
In order for Apple to reinstate Epic Games’ developer program account, it requires that the company comply with its App Store review guidelines and will not consider any requests for reinstatement if that agreement is not in place. Epic vs Apple lawsuit
Apple said in an emailed statement that it would welcome Epic’s return to the App Store if the company agreed to adhere to the same rules as everyone else. However, even if the law is passed in South Korea, there will be no obligation for the company to approve any developer program account applications.
Experts and developers around the world await the outcome of a U.S. court case Epic Games filed against Apple on antitrust grounds. Epic Games broke Apple’s rules by introducing in-app payment in Fortnite in order to avoid Apple’s commissions. As a result of the move, Epic Games’ game was removed from the App Store by Apple. Epic vs Apple lawsuit
Global anti-trust regulators are beginning to scrutinize Apple’s business practices, so the company announced last week that it will allow some apps like Netflix Inc to link to the company’s website for user payments, a small concession that could allow app developers to avoid its controversial 30% App Store fee.
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