Today marked the first hearing in what will probably be many in the fight between Apple andEpic Games. And we can probably expect this battle between two giant companies to go on for quite some time.
Today, as noted byAppleInsider, Apple and Epic Games’ battle over the App Store,Fortnite, in-app purchases, walled gardens, and much more started with a virtual hearing. Both companies’ legal times were present at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (virtually). Interestingly, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers suggested that while the standard proceedings are necessary, so should the opinion of the people.
Judge Gonzalez Rogers said that it’s probably worthwhile to understand what “real people think” in this regard. Are these issues that Epic Games, and Apple, is bringing up something the regular consumer cares about? Are the security issues an important aspect to the regular person out there?
This is a suggestion, yes, but the legal teams have until Tuesday to declare whether or not they are demanding trial by jury. The original report suggests that Epic Games is leaning towards a bench trial, though, apparently wanting to avoid a jury.
As far as deadlines are concerned, the first deadline for filing documentation and other data for the trial is July 13, 2025. The trial will begin sometime in July of next year. So unless something happens on the settlement front outside of the courts, this is a fight that will be going on for some time.
What’s notable, too, is that Judge Gonzalez Rogers gave some notable pushback to Epic Games’ statements and claims against Apple:
The judge repeatedly highlighted that the matter was of Epic’s own doing, at times when Epic’s lawyers urged there was harm. Epic forced Apple’s hand in the matter, and it also has the opportunity to agree to Apple’s rules for “Fortnite” to be readmitted to the App Store.
There was also some pushback on Epic’s repeated declarations that Apple was a monopolist, as well as Epic’s disregarding of rules and not being “forthright” with Apple itself. The judge also highlights the oddity of Epic’s arguments against Apple comparing a smartphone to a game console due to size reasons, by referencing the existence of the Nintendo Switch.
In aseparate reportdetailing the full events of the first virtual hearing,AppleInsidersays Judge Gonzalez Rogers does not seem “convinced” of the company’s claims of antitrust behavior from Apple.
So, how did we get to this point? Let’s look over the timeline!
