Epic Games has been waiting for Apple to approve its popular game, Fortnite, for the US iOS App Store since May 16. The company’s CEO, Tim Sweeney, has expressed his frustration regarding this delay.
Concerns Over Lookalike Apps
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Sweeney highlighted examples of Fortnite lookalikes currently available on the App Store. He stated:
"If these apps are allowed to remain available, it will only confuse users who may think they are playing Fortnite when they actually aren’t."
Specific Apps Mentioned
Sweeney specifically mentioned two apps that resemble Fortnite but are not officially affiliated with Epic Games:
- Fort Battle Royale Epic Shoot – This app appears to have been taken down from the App Store after Sweeney’s post.
- Epic Survival Battle Royale 3D – This app remains available on the store as of now.
Issues with Apple’s Policies
Sweeney also pointed out that Apple allows developers to use their own names and logos in their games and apps without requiring permission from trademark holders. He argued that this policy:
- Creates confusion among users.
- Undermines consumer protection laws.
Background of the Dispute
Epic Games’ decision to remove Fortnite from Apple’s platform is part of a larger dispute over:
- Revenue sharing.
- User data collection practices.
In 2020, Epic filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that it abused its market power by requiring developers to use its payment system and take a commission on all transactions made through it.
Apple’s Response
Apple responded by removing Fortnite from both iOS and macOS platforms, citing a "breach" of guidelines related to developer agreements. These agreements require all purchases made within an application to go through either iTunes or another approved payment method, such as Google Pay.
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