Summary
On May 19, Epic Games CEO and founder Tim Sweeney revealed that a US district court judge issued an order to Apple to explain whyFortniteis still blocked on the iOS App Store, despite previous rulings in Epic Games' favor. Apple has until May 21 to file a response with the court and explain its recent decisions regardingFortniteon iOS devices.
The new court order is the latest chapter in the ongoing legal spat between Apple and Epic Games, which has been ongoing sinceFortnite’s removal from the App Store in 2020. After an April 30 ruling that stated Apple violated a 2021 injunction associated with its counterclaim against Epic Games, Sweeney posted on social media thatFortnitecould return to the App Storein the coming days. Since then,Fortnitehas submittedFortnitegame builds to Apple as part of the iOS app review process. After several days of no response from Apple, Sweeney criticized the app review wait time and claimed it should not be “weaponized by senior management” to delay the process.
FollowingApple’s May 16 rejection ofFortniteon the App Store, a US district court has issued an order to demand answers from the Cupertino-based tech giant. According to a social media post by Sweeney, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the US District Court, Northern District of California issued an Order to Show Cause regarding Epic Games' motion to enforce the previous injunction. Apple has until 5:00 PM Pacific on May 21 to file a response with the district court and explain why Epic Games' motion should not be granted. Apple previously contended that it could ignore any court orders concerning the ongoingFortnitecase until the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals hears its request to stay the injunction.
US District Court Orders Apple To Explain Why Fortnite Is Not Back On The App Store
Should Apple fail to respond to this new motion, Judge Rogers subsequently ordered the Apple official responsible for blockingFortnitefrom the iOS App Store to appear for a hearing on May 27 in Oakland. If Apple responds by the end of May 21, Epic Games then has a chance until 10:00 AM Pacific on May 23 to reply. Though theApp Store is home to multiplayer titles likePUBG Mobile,Fortnite’s continued absence remains a stark reminder that the case is not over.
Between the ongoing case against Apple andnew charges from SAG-AFTRA concerning the AI-based Darth VaderNPC added toFortnite, Epic Games' legal issues continue to pile up. It remains to be seen how both cases will eventually play out.
