FILE PHOTO: The Epic Games logo, maker of the popular video game “Fortnite”, is pictured on a screen in this picture illustration on August 14, 2020. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/Illustration/File Photo
Apple rejected on Thursday a request by “Fortnite” creator Epic Games to restore its account on the iPhone maker’s iOS platform in South Korea to add its own payment option, in their latest tussle over app development fees.
Apple is battling a lawsuit filed last year by Epic Games, alleging that the smartphone maker has abused its dominance in the market for mobile apps.
Their battle pivoted to South Korea last week when its parliament approved a bill that bans major app store operators, including Apple, from forcing software developers to use their payment systems, effectively stopping them from charging a commission on in-app purchases.
The legislation is expected to go into effect around September 15.
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Epic said in a post on Twitter it had asked Apple to restore its Fortnite developer account, adding: “Epic intends to re-release Fortnite on iOS in Korea offering both Epic payment and Apple payment side-by-side in compliance with the new Korean law.”
But Apple said Epic Games would have to agree to comply with Apple’s App Store review guidelines and it will not consider any request for reinstatement of Epic Games’ developer program account in the absence of such an agreement.
