Apple approves Epic Games marketplace app in Europe

Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) said on Friday that the \ "Fortnite \" manufacturer approved EPIC Games \ 'Games Marketplace App on the iPhone and iPad in Europe. Establish a game store on the device.

Apple said that the latest controversy involves an epic Swedish AB market, and has nothing to do with Fortnite applications that have given green lights. App developers and antitrust regulators have criticized Apple for its tight control over the iOS app ecosystem.

Prior to Apple's announcement, Epic said the iPhone maker had twice rejected submissions from video game publishers to launch the Epic Games Store because the design of certain buttons and labels were similar to those used in the App Store. "We use the same naming conventions for 'installs' and 'in-app purchases' as popular app stores across multiple platforms, and follow standard conventions for iOS app buttons," Epic said in multiple posts about X.

"Apple's rejection is arbitrary, disruptive and in breach of the DMA (Digital Markets Act), and we have raised our concerns with the European Commission," the statement said. The European Commission last month opened an investigation into Apple's checks and reviews to verify sideloaded apps and alternative app stores, but declined to comment.

Epic and Apple have been locked in a legal battle since 2020, when the gaming company accused Apple of violating U.S. antitrust rules by charging commissions of up to 30% on in-app payments on its iPhone operating system (iOS) devices. Earlier this year, Apple proposed changes to its App Store policies to comply with certain DMA directives that went into effect in March.

It provides alternative app stores on iPhones and provides an option to opt out of in-app payment systems, but imposes a "core technology fee" that some developers see as exploitative.