Apple Says It Has Scored A "Resounding Victory" Over Epic In Antitrust Lawsuit Appeal

Let me take you back to August 2020. Epic filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple after the latter delisted Fortnite from the app store following Epic's attempt to circumvent Apple's payment system (and Apple's 30% cut of the profits).

Fast-forward to 2021 where the court decided 9 out of 10 claims for Apple, stating that Epic had failed to prove that Apple was a monopoly. The one claim decided on Epic's behalf, however, was that they did have the right to use their own payment system instead of Apple's. Of course, appeals were filed on both sides, but now you're all caught up.

This week the US Ninth District Court of Appeals upheld the 2021 ruling according to Eurogamer, agreeing with the 9 out of 10 claims decision, with the exception that Epic may now be required to pay Apple's legal fees.

"Today's decision reaffirms Apple's resounding victory in this case, with nine of 10 claims having been decided in Apple's favor," an Apple spokesperson said in a statement shared with the press. "For the second time in two years, a federal court has ruled that Apple abides by antitrust laws at the state and federal levels."

The Apple spokesperson also added, "We respectfully disagree with the court's ruling on the one remaining claim under state law and are considering further review."

No word on whether or not Apple will be allowing Fortnite back on iOS. Apple had previously said it wouldn't allow Epic back on iOS until the court proceedings were final. It sounds like this drama may not quite be over.