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(Reuters) – Apple Inc AAPL.O on Tuesday he filed counterclaims against “Fortnite” creator Epic Games, requesting lost App Store fees and other damages, and seeking an order to prevent the game creator from operating his own in-app payment system.
Apple and Epic have been in a legal battle since August, when the creator of the popular game launched its own in-app payment system to circumvent what it called Apple’s monopolistic practices. The Apple App Store requires developers to use Apple’s payment system and pay a 30% commission.
Apple blocked Epic’s ability to distribute updates or new applications through the App Store, and Epic sued Apple alleging that its practices in the App Store violate antitrust laws. The court allowed Apple to prevent Epic from distributing new titles as the case progressed, but the existing version of “Fortnite” still works, as does Epic’s payment system.
Apple had said it would allow “Fortnite” to return to the store if Epic removed the direct payment feature to fulfill its developer agreement. But Epic has refused, saying that complying with Apple’s request would be “colluding with Apple to maintain its monopoly on in-app payments on iOS.”
Apple’s filing on Tuesday seeks monetary damages for Epic’s payment system, seeking “restitution and return of all profits, earnings, compensation, benefits and other illicit gains made by Epic as a result of its conduct.”
Apple did not specify how much money it was looking for for the payment feature. The company also sought damages to its reputation from frustrated “Fortnite” players and a public relations campaign Epic launched against Apple, which included a parody of Apple’s “1984” television commercial and a playable character with a head. called “Tart Tycoon”. He bears some resemblance to Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Apple also sought a court order that would force Epic to disable its own payment system in “Fortnite” on Apple devices.
Reporting by Stephen Nellis; Edited by Richard Chang
