Fortnite returns to Apple's Australian app stores after landmark case
The Federal Court has ordered Apple to open up its devices to other app stores, as part of a landmark finding that the tech giant violated Australian competition law.
The Federal Court has mandated Apple to allow other app stores on their devices, marking a landmark victory for Australian competition law that impacts approximately 15 million Apple users. This decision, delivered by Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach, sets the date for Apple to implement these changes by March 2027. This ruling is a key outcome of a six-year legal dispute between Apple and the developer of Fortnite, Epic Games, across Europe, the UK, the US, and Australia.
Both Apple and Google were found to be abusing their market dominance by restricting other app stores and enforcing Apple's payment platform, which takes a 15-30 percent cut. Apple had argued security and intellectual property issues, but Justice Beach deemed the company guilty of breaching the Competition and Consumer Act with complex terms and technical measures, ordering Apple to pay 85% of Epic Games' legal fees.
Apple has indicated it will contest these findings, requesting a stay and appealing the decision to ensure it upholds its intellectual property rights and maintains a secure and safe experience for its users and developers.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
