Epic Games and Fortnite Make a Comeback on iOS in Australia After Court Decision

Following a court ruling, the Epic Games Store and Fortnite will once again be available on iOS devices in Australia, marking their return after being removed from the App Store in 2020. Epic Games announced the news in a post, stating that the Australian court found Apple and Google guilty of misusing their control over app distribution and in-app payments to suppress competition. The court's 2,000-page verdict is seen as a significant victory for developers and consumers in Australia. According to the Financial Review, the Federal Court judge determined that Google and Apple's dominance in the app store market has led to reduced competition and higher commission fees for developers. The judge also found that Apple's ban on native app distribution outside the App Store has substantially lessened competition. However, the court rejected claims of 'unconscionable conduct' or breaches of consumer law. Apple has responded by stating that it faces intense competition in all markets and continuously invests in making the App Store a safe and lucrative platform for developers. Epic Games has been engaged in a legal battle with Apple since 2020, when Fortnite was removed from the App Store due to a update that allowed players to purchase in-game currency at a lower rate directly from Epic Games, bypassing Apple's 30% sales commission. The ruling allows Fortnite to return to the App Store in Australia, following similar returns in Japan, Europe, the US, and other regions in recent months.