Apple has refuted allegations of breaching a court order regarding its App Store practices, amidst the ongoing legal dispute with 'Fortnite' developer Epic Games.
In a recent filing to the US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, Apple urged the court to dismiss Epic Games' request to hold it in contempt, Reuters reported.
'Fornite' Developer Epic Games Accuses Apple of Antitrust Violations
The origin of the conflict traces back to a lawsuit filed by Epic Games in 2020, accusing Apple of antitrust violations due to its tight control over the App Store ecosystem, especially concerning app distribution and in-app purchases.
Although Epic Games did not fully succeed in its legal challenges against Apple, Judge Rogers did mandate Apple in 2021 to allow developers more leeway in directing users to alternative payment methods for digital purchases, as reported by The Verge.
Apple responded to Epic Games' accusations by criticizing what it sees as Epic's attempt to exert excessive influence over its business operations for its own benefit.
The tech giant also claimed that Epic wanted free access to Apple's tools and technologies, describing it as an unreasonable demand amounting to micromanagement.
READ NEXT: Apple Faces Contempt Plea from Epic Games for Alleged Non-Compliance with App Store Court Order
Other Tech Giants Voice Concern Over Apple's App Store Practices
Epic Games previously argued that Apple's fee structure for certain purchases made alternative payment options impractical, and that Apple also restricted certain apps from informing users about alternative payment methods.
The broader tech industry has been following this legal battle closely, with other major players such as Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Elon Musk's X, and Match echoing Epic's concerns about Apple's practices, according to Reuters.
They have all stated that Apple appears to be in clear violation of the court's orders.
This legal battle is not unique to Apple, as a similar case filed by Epic against Alphabet's Google is expected to result in a separate injunction affecting the Google Play Store later this year.
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