Epic Games refers Apple to the European Commission, after dispute over button design
Update, Saturday sixth July: Epic Games has up to date its assertion to verify that Apple has now accepted its submission.
In a short addendum, Epic mentioned: “Update: Apple has informed us that our previously rejected Epic Games Store notarisation submission has now been accepted”.
Epic didn’t reveal if it had rescinded its name for the European Commission to examine its “concerns”.
Original story follows.
Epic Games has referred Apple to the European Commission for rejecting its notarisation submission, alleging Apple’s refusal is “arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the Digital Markets Act (DMA)”.
In a press release posted to X, the social media platform previously referred to as Twitter, Epic mentioned Apple had taken difficulty with its call-to-action buttons, claiming each its “Get” and “In-app purchases” buttons are too related in design to Apple’s personal buttons.
Epic says it’s utilizing the phrases “install” and “in-app purchases” as this follows naming conventions that app customers are already aware of.
“Apple has rejected our Epic Games Store notarisation submission twice now, claiming the design and position of Epic’s ‘Install’ button is too similar to Apple’s ‘Get’ button and that our ‘In-app purchases’ label is too similar to the App Store’s ‘In-App Purchases’ label,” Epic Games mentioned.
“We are utilizing the identical ‘Install’ and ‘In-app purchases’ naming conventions which can be used throughout well-liked app shops on a number of platforms, and are following commonplace conventions for buttons in iOS apps. We’re simply attempting to construct a retailer that cellular customers can simply perceive, and the disclosure of in-app purchases is a regulatory greatest apply adopted by all shops these days.
“Apple’s rejection is arbitrary, obstructive, and in violation of the DMA, and we’ve shared our concerns with the European Commission,” Epic concluded. “Barring further roadblocks from Apple, we remain ready to launch in the Epic Games Store and Fortnite on iOS in the EU in the next couple of months.”
ICYMI, EU regulators lately opened a brand new investigation following claims Apple will not be complying with EU guidelines.
The European Commission – which began investigating Apple’s alleged non-compliance again in March – has accused Apple of breaching its Digital Markets Act, which means Apple may face a effective of up to 10 % of the agency’s world annual income. That could not sound like a lot, however when you think about that Apple generates £301bn ($383bn) a yr, that is a sizeable punishment.
As Tom defined for us at the time, Apple’s previously-announced answer to fulfill DMA guidelines has drawn fireplace over its charges and limits, which make launching video games or apps outdoors of the App Store expensive – one thing long-time authorized rival Epic Games boss Tim Sweeney referred to as “hot garbage”.
