Epic wants the court to compel Apple to approve Fortnite's return to the US App Store

Engadget - May 17th, 2025
Open on Engadget

Epic Games has filed a 'second motion to enforce injunction' in the US District Court for the Northern District of California, urging the court to compel Apple to conduct a timely review of its Fortnite app. This move follows Epic's victory in a legal battle, where a court ordered Apple to stop collecting commissions on purchases not made through the App Store and to allow external payment links within apps. Apple, however, has delayed reviewing the app until the Ninth Circuit Court rules on Apple's request for a partial stay of the new injunction. Epic claims Apple's actions are retaliatory and violate the court's order.

The ongoing legal tussle between Epic and Apple has significant implications for app developers and the broader tech industry. Epic argues that Apple's demand for separate submissions for the US and EU violates its own guidelines, asserting that it is being held to different standards than other developers. This case highlights the tension between app developers seeking more freedom and control over their applications and major tech platforms striving to maintain their revenue models. The outcome could set a precedent affecting app store policies and developer rights worldwide.

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RATING

6.8
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story provides a timely and clear account of the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, focusing on Epic's efforts to compel Apple to approve Fortnite's return to the App Store. The article effectively highlights the main claims and events, making it accessible to a general audience. However, it leans towards Epic's perspective, with limited exploration of Apple's broader legal strategy. The reliance on public statements and legal filings provides a solid foundation, but the inclusion of expert analysis and more diverse sources would enhance the story's depth and credibility. Overall, the article succeeds in engaging readers and addressing a topic of significant public interest, but it could benefit from greater transparency and balance to provide a more comprehensive view of the dispute.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story accurately presents the ongoing legal battle between Epic Games and Apple, focusing on Epic's recent legal motion to compel Apple to approve Fortnite's return to the App Store. The primary claims, such as Epic's filing of a "second motion to enforce injunction" and Apple's refusal to act on the submission until the Ninth Circuit rules, are corroborated by the court proceedings and public statements from both companies. However, the story would benefit from verifying specific legal terms and the exact content of Apple's letter to Epic, which are critical to understanding the nuances of the case.

7
Balance

The article primarily presents Epic's perspective, highlighting their accusations against Apple and their legal actions. While it mentions Apple's rationale for delaying action on the app submission, it provides limited insight into Apple's broader legal strategy or the potential implications of the court's injunction on Apple's business model. Including more context on Apple's position and the significance of their appeal would enhance the balance and provide readers with a more comprehensive understanding of the dispute.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to explain the complex legal dispute between Epic Games and Apple. It effectively outlines the sequence of events and the main points of contention. However, the inclusion of more detailed explanations of legal terms and the implications of the court's injunction could improve clarity for readers unfamiliar with the legal and technical aspects of the case.

6
Source quality

The story relies on public statements from Epic Games and Apple's legal filings, which are credible sources for the information presented. However, it lacks direct quotes from court documents or detailed analysis from legal experts, which could provide additional authority and depth to the reporting. Incorporating a wider range of sources, such as legal analysts or industry experts, would improve the article's source quality and reliability.

5
Transparency

The article provides a clear account of the events leading to Epic's legal motion but lacks transparency regarding the methodology used to gather information. There is no disclosure of the sources consulted or any potential conflicts of interest that might affect the reporting. Clarifying the basis for the claims and the context of the legal proceedings would enhance transparency and help readers assess the story's impartiality.

Sources

  1. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2025-05-02/ruling-apple-app-store-epic-games
  2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epic_Games_v._Apple
  3. https://www.macrumors.com/2025/05/14/epic-resubmits-fortnite-to-app-store/
  4. https://www.engadget.com/gaming/fortnite-is-offline-on-ios-around-the-world-131535163.html
  5. https://www.ign.com/articles/epic-says-apple-has-blocked-fortnites-return-to-the-us-app-store-and-now-tim-sweeney-is-tweeting-tim-cook-to-complain