The US District Court has made one of its first big decisions in the case between Epic Games and Apple.
Previously, we learned that Apple had threatened to remove Epic’s developer accounts for iOS and macOS, which would have had grave implications for Unreal Engine and its developers. Luckily for Epic, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers thinks that Apple’s retaliation was excessive and uncalled for.
Documents filed yesterday confirm that Epic Games has won its restraining order.
“The record shows potential significant damage to both the Unreal Engine platform itself, and to the gaming industry generally, including on both third-party developers and gamers,” an analysis reads.
“APPLE AND ALL PERSONS IN ACTIVE CONCERT OR PARTICIPATION WITH APPLE, ARE TEMPORARILY RESTRAINED from taking adverse action against Epic Games with respect to restricting, suspending or terminating any affiliate of Epic Games, such as Epic International, from Apple’s Developer Program, including as to Unreal Engine, on the basis that Epic Games enabled in-app payment processing in Fortnite through means other than IAP or on the basis of the steps Epic took to do so.”
But Epic Games’s victory is just a partial one. In regards to Fornite, Rogers decided in favor of Apple, which suggests that we won’t be seeing the battle royale hit return to iOS anytime soon unless Epic’s lawyers come up with something convincing.
“The Court finds that with respect to Epic Games’ motion as to its games, including Fortnite, Epic Games has not yet demonstrated irreparable harm,” the judge wrote. “The current predicament appears of its own making.”