The Epic Games v. Apple lawsuit concluded with a number of mixed conclusions for both companies but with lasting implications for app developers. Epic Games, the company behind Fortnite, made significant news in August 2020 when it decided to allow consumers to purchase in-game currency through its website instead of the Apple App Store interface. When Apple removed Fortnite in retaliation, Epic Games sued, arguing that Apple was violating antitrust laws. In May 2021, a California judge held several hearings over questions of “what is a game” and whether Apple’s rules were a breach of antitrust. Now, the judge overseeing the trial, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, has submitted her ruling.

Rogers initially made news by filing a permanent injunction against Apple. The injunction blocks the Big Tech giant from requiring app developers to use only the App Store payment system. The ruling would allow developers to add interface elements to iOS applications that link to external purchasing mechanisms.