Epic Games accuses Apple of contempt of court in Fortnite case

Published: 2025-05-19 01:01:08 ET AAPL

Published on 05/19/2025 at 01:01

Epic Games on Friday asked U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to intervene now that Apple is refusing to include the game Fortnite on the U.S. App Store. Epic calls it "Apple's latest attempt to undermine the court's order and its authority.

Epic announced Friday that Apple had blocked the latest version of Fortnite, making the game unavailable on iOS worldwide until the ban is lifted.

Epic resubmitted the popular game after the judge ruled that Fortnite is allowed to point players to alternative payment methods and Epic is not bound by Apple's commission.

During the very first hearing in the case, Judge Rogers already let it be known that she was inclined not to require Apple to allow Fortnite back on the App Store. Several months later, she denied a request by Epic for injunctive relief, effectively allowing Apple to continue banning the game.

Epic is therefore seeking enforcement of the injunction and wants Apple to be required to allow any Epic app that meets the guidelines - including Fortnite - on the U.S. App Store.

In the document, Epic also refers to Apple CEO Tim Cook's testimony during the trial, in which he stated, "It would be in the best interest of users if Fortnite returns to the App Store.

However, Apple has informed Epic that it will not reconsider reactivating Epic's developer account "until the ongoing litigation in the U.S. is concluded. In addition, according to Apple, the game will not be denied worldwide. However, Epic Games Sweden has been asked to resubmit the app for the European market. There, Epic will be allowed to offer the game outside of Apple's commission.