Fortnite maker Epic Games takes Apple and Google to Competition Tribunal

Fortnite was removed from the Apple App Store last year

Credit: Shuttershock

The maker of Fortnite has taken Apple and Google to Britain’s competition tribunal, claiming that the companies are abusing  monopolies and demanding that they restore the popular video game to their app stores.

Epic Games filed a claim with the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) on Thursday, claiming Apple had broken the 1998 Competition Act by controlling what apps can be installed on iPhones and iPads. It issues a similar claim against Google.

The move is the latest in Epic’s multi-national legal campaign against the two companies, which has seen it sue the company in US courts and launch legal proceedings in Australia. 

Epic claims Apple and Google illegally abusing their power by demanding a 30pc cut of many transactions made through apps on their stores. In Apple’s case, it says the company prevents alternatives to the App Store, where it closely moderates what apps are allowed.

Fortnite was removed from the App Store and Google’s Play Store, the equivalent for Android phones, in August, after circumventing their payment rules.

Epic;s filing with the CAT asks the tribunal to declare Apple’s conduct illegal and to force the company to restore Fortnite to the App Store, as well as ordering Apple to stop requiring apps use its payments system.

Apple, which has defended its control of the App Store and has countersued Epic Games, accusing the company of theft for circumventing its rules, did not respond to a request for comment.

On Thursday, Google said it had closed its $2.1bn (£1.5bn) takeover of wearable maker Fitbit, despite US competition authorities not yet signing off on the deal.

Epic’s head of communications and policy Tera Randall said: "We believe that this is an important argument to make on behalf of consumers and developers in the UK and around the world who are impacted by Apple and Google’s misuse of market power. We look forward to making our case on January 21.

"Epic is not seeking damages from Apple or Google in the UK, Australia or the US, it is simply seeking fair access and competition that will benefit all consumers."