Epic Games’ legal battle against Apple just scored another victory, this time in Australia. This whole thing was started by Epic, who wants to use an alternative payment system for Fortnite on Apple devices. At the end of 2021, a US judge ruled that Apple should allow alternative in-app payment methods. There was also a similar case happened in Australia.
The first victory for Epic came last year when an Australian court concluded that Apple and Google violated local competition laws. Oh, yes, Google is involved in this too – both Apple and Google removed Fortnite from their respective app stores over the use of V-Bucks (an in-game currency). Anyway, Fortnite is back in the app stores in many regions (but not in Australia) and now the Federal Court of Australia has handed Epic – and all iPhone users – an even bigger victory.
Apple must allow users to install apps from third-party stores and websites starting March 1, 2027. There is an option for an extension until May 3, but the court must approve it first. This court ruling is based on the outcome of last year’s ruling.
In detail, Apple must allow third-party app stores and app sideloading. It must also allow alternative payment options, including external payment connections. It must limit its fees to alternative distribution and payment methods. And it needs to remove other barriers, including opening up the APIs needed to run third-party app stores.
Note that this applies to users with Australian accounts. Apple said it plans to appeal the decision in a statement to Reuters.
Third-party app stores are already allowed in the EU, as well as Brazil and Japan. Epic Games is still not happy with how this was implemented in the EU, so the story is not over.
Alternative app stores are not allowed in the US (yet), but developers are now allowed to show users external payment links and offer alternative payment options.
PS. Fortnite will soon return to the Australian Apple App Store.
source | Via