And the saga continues: US judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ordered Apple to resolve its issues with Epic over the release of Fortnite on the US App Store, or explain itself in court next week.
Apple told Epic last week that it will not approve Fortnite for release until the judge rules on its request for a delay, which was filed on May 9.
Yesterday, Epic filed a counter motion asking the court to enforce the original injunction, which removed all of Apple’s restrictions on in-app messaging and alternative payments. That injunction was supposed to be effective immediately, but Apple is not acting on it until it receives a ruling on its request for a delay.
And again, the judge doesn’t seem very happy with the iPhone maker. In the latest motion, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers questions why Apple believes it can “ignore” the original court order.
“Obviously, Apple is fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing,” she continued. She added that if Epic and Apple can’t resolve their issues soon, then the person responsible for compliance at Apple will have to explain themselves in court on May 27.
Apple must now file an opposition brief and name the person responsible by May 21, and Epic then has until May 23 to respond.
As we reported yesterday, one legal expert contends that Apple is well within its rights to refuse to release Fortnite in the US, based on Epic Games’ previous behaviour.
