Judge Keeps Fortnite Off iOS But Protects Unreal Engine
A federal judge rules that Apple must allow Epic Games to keep distributing its Unreal Engine on iOS, though the popular game Fortnite remains banned from the App Store.
A federal judge issues a mixed ruling in the ongoing legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, deciding that Fortnite stays banned from the iOS App Store. However, the court explicitly orders Apple to refrain from blocking Epic's access to distribute its widely used Unreal Engine tools on Apple platforms. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers states that Apple cannot retaliate against Epic by revoking its developer accounts or restricting third-party developers from utilizing the Unreal Engine ecosystem.
The judge notes that blocking the Unreal Engine causes significant damage not just to Epic, but to the broader gaming industry and third-party developers who rely on the software. While Epic clearly violates App Store guidelines by implementing its own direct payment system in Fortnite, the court finds that Epic does not breach any contracts specifically related to its developer tools. Consequently, Apple's threat to cut off access to the Unreal Engine by August 28 constitutes an overreach that impacts non-parties.
This legal showdown begins when Epic intentionally bypasses Apple's standard payment processing to avoid the standard 30% commission on in-app purchases. Apple promptly removes Fortnite from the App Store, prompting Epic to file an antitrust lawsuit and request an emergency injunction. Although this temporary restraining order represents only a partial victory for Epic, it successfully preserves the company's foundational game development tools while the larger dispute over App Store monopolies heads toward a full trial.