Epic Games (and Facebook) vs. Apple and Google - the complete chronology (UPDATE Oct. 10)

200813 Epic Games (= Tim Sweeney >50%, Tencent 40%) sues Apple (App Store) & Google (Play Store) for banning Fortnite from app stores as Fortnite bypassed in-app payment systems from Apple & Google, claims monopolistic behavior (violates Sherman Act & California’s Cartwright Act), claims that Google blocked OnePlus & LG from pre-installing Fortnite launchers on new smartphones

200814 Spotify and Match Group support Epic; [Apple has monopoly on iOS access for apps through App STore; Google allows sideloading app (not through Play Store) and 3rd party app stores such as Epic's, but erected contractual & technological barriers on distributing apps not through Play Store]

200814 Apple refused Facebook's request to waive 30% App Store fee for small businesses hosting live events (Facebook Pay instead applies zero fee)

200817 Apple to terminate Epic Games developer accounts (incl Unreal Engine creation tools) 200828, Epic sues (temporary restraining order) to prevent [see 200813]

200817 Apple claims Epic asked for special deal

200825 Epic Games wins temporary restraining order against Apple protecting Unreal Engine and developer accounts (not Fortnite), hearing 200928

200826 Apple vs Epic Games: Fortnite plans new season 200828, will not be available for Apple users (iOS, macOS), DAU on iOS declined 60%

200828 Facebook CEO Zuckerberg accuses Apple of monopolistic behavior ("blocks innovation, blocks competition allows Apple to charge monopoly rents")

200828 Apple closes Epic’s App Store developer account (removing all games beyond ‘Fortnite)

200908 Apple countersues Epic Games (Fortnite) for breach of contract (over new in-app payments); seeks restitution of all money Fortnite collected through its payment system, permanent injunction banning its external payment mechanism in all apps

200909 Epic Games claims Apple to disable Sign in with Apple for Fortnite from 200911

200910 Sign in with Apple continues (infinite extension)

200917 Fortnite to close on macOS 200923 (no more updates)

200924 Coalition for App Fairness established by Epic Games, Spotify, Match Group, Proton Technologies, News Media Europe, Basecamp; to pressure for app store regulation

200925 Apple temporarily waives app store fee for Facebook’s online events until 201231 (in support of small businesses during corona virus lockdown)

200925 Google updates Play Store guidelines: most apps must use Google's billing service for in-app content downloads, game upgrades, subscriptions

200930 Apple and Epic Games agree on bench trial by judge (not jury), July 2021

201009 Judge permanently restrains Apple from blocking Unreal Engine