The Apple/Epic legal case over Fortnite continues, with a new ruling from Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in the case denying part of Epic’s appeal for a temporary restraining order–but also granting another part. As reported by The Verge, Judge Rogers has denied Epic Games the rights to temporarily return Fortnite to the App Store, but has also prevented Apple from cutting off developer’s Unreal Engine accounts.
Apple has been seeking to prevent Epic from returning Fortnite to the App Store, and has made movements to cut off access to Epic development tools–which would have a major impact on developers outside of Epic. However, at least for the time being, this will not be happening.
The full court order outlines the part of Epic’s appeal that has been granted: “Apple and all persons in active concert or participation with Apple, are temporarily restrained from taking adverse action against Epic Games with respect to restricting, suspending or terminating any affiliate of Epic Games, such as Epic International, from Apple’s Developer Program, including as to Unreal Engine, on the basis that Epic Games enabled in-app payment processing in Fortnite through means other than IAP or on the basis of the steps Epic took to do so.”
Blocking these developer tools would have had wider implications, negatively impacting not just Epic, but also developers who use their tools for mobile development.
