A U.S. federal judge has instructed Apple and Epic Games to resolve their ongoing dispute regarding the reinstatement of Fortnite on the iOS App Store or face further legal proceedings. The directive came from Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who has overseen the long-running legal battle between the two companies. In a court order issued Monday, the judge made it clear that Apple must either find a resolution or be prepared to justify its actions in court.
The latest conflict emerged after Epic Games attempted to resubmit Fortnite for distribution on the iOS App Store. According to Epic, Apple blocked the submission despite a prior court injunction that was expected to facilitate the return of the game. In response, Epic filed a motion seeking to enforce that earlier court ruling, alleging that Apple’s actions were in violation of the court’s order.
Judge Rogers emphasized in her order that Apple has the means to resolve the matter without requiring additional court hearings or legal briefings. She noted that the situation should be addressed promptly and without unnecessary litigation. However, if Apple fails to comply or the two companies cannot reach an agreement independently, the judge stated that the Apple official responsible for ensuring compliance with the court’s injunction must appear in person at the next scheduled hearing.
That hearing is set for May 27 in the Northern District of California. The judge’s warning signals a growing impatience with the prolonged standoff and indicates that further judicial intervention may occur if the situation remains unresolved.
Apple, for its part, issued a statement asserting that it had not removed Fortnite from any alternative distribution platforms. This suggests the company may be distinguishing between the App Store and third-party distribution options that have become more prominent following recent regulatory and legal changes in digital marketplaces.
The legal tension between Apple and Epic Games stems from broader disputes over App Store policies, developer commissions, and control over digital content distribution. Fortnite, once one of the most downloaded games on iOS, was removed from the App Store in 2020 after Epic introduced an alternative payment system that bypassed Apple’s in-app purchase mechanism. The resulting lawsuit led to a mixed ruling that allowed Apple to maintain much of its App Store framework while requiring certain changes to its practices.
As both companies remain entrenched in their positions, the upcoming hearing may prove pivotal in determining whether Fortnite returns to iOS or remains excluded indefinitely.
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