In one of the most high-profile legal battles in the tech industry, Apple and Epic Games have been locked in a fierce batery bet courtroom struggle since 2020. The case centers around Apple’s App Store policies and its 30% commission fee, which Epic Games claims is monopolistic and anti-competitive. The battle began when Epic attempted to bypass Apple’s payment system in its popular game, Fortnite, in a move designed to avoid Apple’s hefty fees. In retaliation, Apple removed Fortnite from the App Store, sparking an intense legal clash.

Epic Games argues that Apple has a stranglehold over iOS apps, forcing developers to use its payment system and pay exorbitant fees. The case has significant implications for both the tech industry and the broader app economy, raising questions about antitrust law and whether Apple’s control over its App Store is too restrictive.

In 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that Apple must allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods, but the judge did not declare Apple a monopoly. Both companies have appealed the decision, with Apple seeking to overturn the ruling and Epic fighting for even greater reforms. The outcome of this case could reshape the entire app ecosystem, potentially allowing for more competition and lower fees for developers.