UPDATE: Fortnite has also been Epic has filed suit against Google in response.
Epic Games has responded to Fortnite being removed from the iOS App Store and has filed a federal complaint against Apple for "anti-competitive conduct." What started as a win for all Fortnite players has quickly become a legal mess as Epic Games is very openly fighting Fortnite's ban from iOS devices. Epic Games is not suing Apple for any monetary value, but to liberate app developers and publishers from Apple's unfair and anti-competitive guidelines.
Earlier this morning, Epic Games announced a 20% banned Fortnite from the iOS App Store stating that Epic Direct was implemented prior to review or approval.
Epic Games has since announced via Twitter that it is filing legal papers against Apple for anti-competitive conduct and an alleged illegal monopoly of the iOS App Distribution Market. The tweet linked to the 62-page legal complaint that was filed against Apple by Epic Games. Epic Games is suing Apple for an injunction to prohibit Apple's anticompetitive ongoings that will mandate apple to cease any unlawful conduct. Epic is also in pursuit of Apple's contractual and policy restraints to be declared unlawful and therefore unenforceable.
Epic Games lists Apple's alleged unlawful actions in the legal document as follows: Unlawful Monopoly Maintenance in the iOS App Distribution Market, Denial of Essential Facility in the iOS App, Unreasonable Restraints of Trade in the iOS App, Unlawful Monopoly Maintenance in the iOS In-App Payment Processing Market, Unreasonable Restraints of Trade in the iOS In-App Payment Processing Market, and Tying the App Store in the iOS App Distribution Market to In-App Purchase in the iOS In-App Processing Market. All of this essentially claims that Apple has unfairly restricted the App Store's marketplace which, in turn, doesn't allow for competitive marketing.
And if social media is any indication of how the court procedures will go, it's fair to say Epic Games may pull out a win for not only themselves but other app devs and publishers as well. Hashtags such as #FreeFortnite and #TeamEpic have been trending on Twitter thanks to those who are showing their for Epic Games. This fight is gearing up to be a battle for the ages, and the whole world seems to be watching.
Sources: Epic Games
