Epic, Epic Games, das Logo von Epic Games, Fortnite, das Logo von Fortnite, Unreal, Unreal Engine, das Logo von Unreal Engine, Unreal Tournament und das Logo von Unreal Tournament sind Handelsmarken oder eingetragene Handelsmarken von Epic Games, Inc. In den Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika wie anderenorts. Andere Marken oder Produktnamen sind. Epic Games (previously Fortnite Installer) is an app that -just as its name suggests- lets you install Fortnite on mobile devices. Download the legendary Battle Royale game to your smartphone with this official Epic Games app. Using Epic Games couldn't be easier, as the app itself checks if your device can run the game or not.
Epic Games intends to file a competition lawsuit against Google in the UK as part of the ongoing Fortnite-kicked-off-platforms saga, according to documents lodged with the Competition Appeal Tribunal.
The lawsuit will allege that Google, holder of 'a dominant position in the Android app distribution market', has unfairly restricted 'competition from alternative app stores and other channels for the distribution of apps' [PDF].
The legal action the games dev is taking in the UK is similar to a US lawsuit it filed against Apple, which ejected Epic from its App Store in a commercial spat about cult game Fortnite.
The dispute is over exclusivity and how much of a cut Google takes from in-game microtransactions in Fortnite. As we reported back in 2018, Epic launched the Android version of Fortnite through its own website rather than the Google Play Store, the official app repository for Android. This initially deprived Google of its 30 per cent cut of Android app sale prices, though the app was later released through the Play Store.
At the time, Epic chief exec Tim Sweeney had a good old spleen-venting session about the 'economics of the store ecosystem as it exists right now'.
In August 2020, Epic introduced what its Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) claim described as 'a direct payment option into the Fortnite app on the Google Play Store. This enabled consumers to pay Epic directly for in-app content instead of using Google's payment processor.' Google responded by ejecting Fortnite from the Play Store altogether.
Epic is set to allege that Google is 'using its market position to charge unfair prices for the distribution of apps via the Google Play Store and/or in relation to the purchase of digital in-app content within those apps,' breaking section 18 of the Competition Act 1998 and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
It wants the CAT to order Google to restore Fortnite to the Play Store – and to tell the Chocolate Factory to 'cease interfering with OEMs' ability freely to enter into agreements with Epic in respect of the pre-installation of the Epic Games Store and/or Epic's apps for Android mobile devices sold in the UK.'
On top of that, Epic also wants 'an order requiring Google to remove or amend the technical restrictions to ensure that consumers can directly download apps/app stores without obstruction, including ensuring that those apps/app stores are able to operate in the same way as the Google Play Store with respect to app installation, app updates, and access to operating system features,' something likely to ring alarm bells among Android security watchers.
Before Epic can formally do any of that, however, it needs permission to serve the case on Google; as a foreign company headquartered outside the UK, Google has a chance to show that Epic's case should properly be brought in its homeland instead of in Britain.
Google sent us a statement: 'The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.'
The Register will be reporting from the jurisdiction hearing, which is listed to take place on 21 January. ®
Epic Game App Fortnite
Epic Games is doubling down on its legal battle with Apple in the UK. As first reported by Bloomberg, Epic has made a new filing in the UK slamming Apple for its decision to remove Fortnite from the App Store, saying that the company is abusing its 'dominant position' in the market.
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In August 2020, Epic introduced what its Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) claim described as 'a direct payment option into the Fortnite app on the Google Play Store. This enabled consumers to pay Epic directly for in-app content instead of using Google's payment processor.' Google responded by ejecting Fortnite from the Play Store altogether.
Epic is set to allege that Google is 'using its market position to charge unfair prices for the distribution of apps via the Google Play Store and/or in relation to the purchase of digital in-app content within those apps,' breaking section 18 of the Competition Act 1998 and Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
It wants the CAT to order Google to restore Fortnite to the Play Store – and to tell the Chocolate Factory to 'cease interfering with OEMs' ability freely to enter into agreements with Epic in respect of the pre-installation of the Epic Games Store and/or Epic's apps for Android mobile devices sold in the UK.'
On top of that, Epic also wants 'an order requiring Google to remove or amend the technical restrictions to ensure that consumers can directly download apps/app stores without obstruction, including ensuring that those apps/app stores are able to operate in the same way as the Google Play Store with respect to app installation, app updates, and access to operating system features,' something likely to ring alarm bells among Android security watchers.
Before Epic can formally do any of that, however, it needs permission to serve the case on Google; as a foreign company headquartered outside the UK, Google has a chance to show that Epic's case should properly be brought in its homeland instead of in Britain.
Google sent us a statement: 'The open Android ecosystem lets developers distribute apps through multiple app stores. For game developers who choose to use the Play Store, we have consistent policies that are fair to developers and keep the store safe for users. While Fortnite remains available on Android, we can no longer make it available on Play because it violates our policies. However, we welcome the opportunity to continue our discussions with Epic and bring Fortnite back to Google Play.'
The Register will be reporting from the jurisdiction hearing, which is listed to take place on 21 January. ®
Epic Game App Fortnite
Epic Games is doubling down on its legal battle with Apple in the UK. As first reported by Bloomberg, Epic has made a new filing in the UK slamming Apple for its decision to remove Fortnite from the App Store, saying that the company is abusing its 'dominant position' in the market.
This is the first step in Epic's quest to get Fortnite reinstated on the App Store in the UK. The company highlights three allegations against Apple, all in regards to the company's control over the iOS in-app payment processing market.
- reserving to itself the sole channel for the distribution of apps to and/or the payment processing mechanism for purchases of in-app content for and by consumers who use iPhones and iPads
- using its position of dominance to charge unfair prices for the distribution of apps via the App Store and/or use of the Apple IAP
- its response to the introduction by Epic of price competition for purchases of in-app content in Fortnite
Epic Games Apple Lawsuit
Epic Games is seeking relief from the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal, asking the agency to declare that Apple's removal of Fortnite from the UK App Store was 'unlawful.' The company also seeks an order requiring Apple to remove the restriction on third-party in-app payment processing.
Other relief requested by Epic Games:
- an order restraining Apple from taking or threatening further action against Epic in relation to certain changes it made to the Fortnite iOS app
- an order requiring Apple to reinstate the relevant Apple Developer Account
- an order preventing Apple from making access to the iOS software and/or any other Apple software conditional on the use of the App Store and/or the Apple IAP
In a statement to 9to5Mac, Tera Randall, Epic's VP of communications and policy, said:
Epic Games has launched legal proceedings against Apple and Google in the United Kingdom, expanding its fight to advance fair digital platform practices for consumers and developers.
The legal proceedings, filed in London's Competition Appeal Tribunal, allege the conduct of both Apple and Google in their respective app stores is an abuse of a dominant position and in breach of the UK's competition laws, substantially reducing competition in app distribution and payment processes.
We believe that this is an important argument to make on behalf of consumers and developers in the UK and around the world who are impacted by Apple and Google's misuse of market power. We look forward to making our case on January 21. Sketch drawing app.
Epic is not seeking damages from Apple or Google in the UK, Australia or the US, it is simply seeking fair access and competition that will benefit all consumers.
As a refresher, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store because Epic Games implemented its own payment process system for in-app purchases that evaded Apple's In-App Purchase system. The two companies are currently engaged in a legal battle, with a trial set for later this year in the United States.
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