Overview

• Epic Games has formally submitted Fortnite to the U.S. App Store for the first time since its removal in 2020, using its Swedish developer account due to the continued ban on its U.S. account.
• The submission follows a California judge's ruling that Apple violated a 2021 anti-steering injunction by restricting developers from directing users to external payment options.
• Under the injunction, Apple is prohibited from blocking external purchase links, collecting fees on external transactions, or imposing restrictions on developer communications about these options.
• Apple has filed an emergency appeal with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to pause the ruling, arguing it disrupts core aspects of its business operations.
• If approved, Fortnite's return would allow users to purchase in-app currency through external links, a key issue that sparked the initial dispute between Epic Games and Apple.