Apple makes concessions to approve Epic Games third-party apps to enter the European market
Apple has approved Epic Games' game market application to run on iPhones and iPads in Europe. Previously, Epic Games accused Apple of hindering its efforts to establish a game store on iPhones and iPads. Apple stated that the recent dispute only involves Epic's applications in the Swedish market and is unrelated to the "Fortnite" application. The European Commission is investigating Apple's app verification and alternative app store practices. The legal battle between Epic and Apple has been ongoing, with Apple proposing changes to its app store policies to comply with antitrust regulations. Earlier this year, Apple allowed the opening of other app stores on iPhones
According to the financial news app Zhitong Finance, Apple Inc. (AAPL.US) stated on Friday that it has approved Epic Games' game market application to run on iPhones and iPads in Europe. Previously, the dispute between Epic Games and Apple escalated again, accusing Apple of hindering Epic's efforts to establish a game store on iPhones and iPads.
Apple stated that the recent dispute involves the market in Sweden with Epic AB, and is unrelated to the "Fortnite" application from the video game manufacturer, which has already been approved. App developers and antitrust regulators have criticized Apple for its strict control over the iOS app ecosystem.
Before Apple announced this decision, Epic stated that Apple had twice rejected the documents submitted by the video game publisher to launch the Epic Games Store, citing similarities in the design of certain buttons and labels to those used in the Apple App Store.
In a series of posts on X, Epic stated: "We use the same naming conventions for 'install' and 'in-app purchases' as popular app stores on multiple platforms, and follow the standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps." "Apple's rejection is arbitrary and obstructive, violating the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and we have expressed concerns to the European Commission."
Last month, the European Commission launched an investigation into Apple's checks and reviews for verifying applications and alternative app stores for side-loading (installing applications through other means without using the official app store of the device), but declined to comment.
Since 2020, Epic and Apple have been in a legal battle, with the gaming company accusing Apple of charging up to a 30% commission on in-app payments on its iPhone operating system (iOS), alleging that this behavior violates U.S. antitrust laws.
Earlier this year, Apple proposed changes to its App Store policies to comply with certain provisions of the DMA that took effect in March. The company allows the opening of other app stores on iPhones and allows users to choose not to use the in-app payment system, but has set a "core technology fee," which some developers still consider exploitative