Epic Games Inc. was prevented from widening its fight with Apple Inc. over access to its popular Fortnite video game after a U.K. judge said the case couldn't continue in London.
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Epic Games Inc. was prevented from widening its fight with Apple Inc. over access to its popular Fortnite video game after a U.K. judge said the case couldn't continue in London.
Epic had submitted a complaint to the U.K.'s antitrust tribunal at the end of last year, saying Apple's decision to remove the game from the iPhone maker's App Store was unlawful. The judge ruled Monday that while the U.S. was a better forum for the Apple dispute, a similar U.K. suit against Alphabet Inc.'s Google could move forward.
Epic has sought to pursue the two tech giants in court and with regulators around the world in an effort to reinstate the battle royale video game. It was dropped from app stores after trying to circumvent payment systems with its own in-app purchases.
Epic said it will reconsider pursuing Apple in the U.K. after the ruling.
Also read: Valve declines Apple's request for data against Epic in antitrust lawsuit
'We are unwavering in our commitment to stopping Apple and Google's anti-competitive practices and will continue to fight for fairer app distribution globally,' a representative for the firm said in a statement. Windows game pass update.
Google declined to comment and Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
Epic filed a complaint with European Union regulators earlier this month, saying that Apple shouldn't be able to 'block or tax a transaction' through other payment services.
Apple's position as a gatekeeper for what apps can appear on iPhones or iPads has already attracted EU antitrust scrutiny. Regulators across the world are also increasingly concerned about the control some large internet platforms have over smaller firms that depend on them.
Written by Jonathan Browning.
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A class action settlement with Epic Games, Inc. ('Defendant' or 'Epic Games') has been reached. Under the Settlement, all U.S. players of Fortnite: Save the World and Rocket League who bought a random item loot box in either game before Epic Games discontinued random loot boxes will receive certain benefits immediately and automatically. The Settlement also provides up to $26.5 million in cash and other benefits to U.S.-based Fortnite and Rocket League players to resolve claims arising from players' purchases of Fortnite and Rocket League in-game items. The case is Zanca, et al. v. Epic Games, Inc., Case No. 21-CVS-534, currently pending in the Superior Court of Wake County, North Carolina before the Honorable Keith Gregory, General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division (the 'Action'). The proposed Settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by Epic Games, and it denies that it violated the law. The Court has not decided who is right or wrong. Rather, to avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of litigation, the Parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit. The Court has granted preliminary approval of the Settlement and has conditionally certified the Settlement Class for purposes of settlement only.
Settlement Class means all persons in the United States who, at any time between July 1, 2015, and February 25, 2021, had a Fortnite or Rocket League account that they used to play either game on any device and in any mode, and (a) exchanged in game virtual currency for any in-game benefit, or (b) made a purchase of virtual currency or other in-game benefit for use within Fortnite or Rocket League.
As part of the Settlement, Epic Games will automatically add 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks to each Fortnite: Save the World account that was used to acquire a random-item 'Loot Llama' loot box, and 1,000 Rocket League Credits to each Rocket League account that was used to acquire a random item 'Crate' loot box. Additionally, you may submit a Claim Form to receive your choice of a cash benefit or additional V-Bucks/Credits, as set forth in more detail in this website and in the Settlement Agreement.
Epic Games Inc Fortnite
Your Legal Rights and Options in This Settlement| Submit a Claim Form | As part of this Settlement, Epic Games will send 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks to each Fortnite account that was used to acquire a random item 'Loot Llama' loot box, and 1,000 Rocket League Credits to each Rocket League account that was used to acquire a random item 'Crate' loot box, the contents of which were not known before opening. You may also submit a Claim Form for additional benefits for real money in-game purchase(s) if you believe the purchase gives rise to a claim of consumer fraud, breach of contract, or other claim for damages, or if you wish to obtain a partial refund for a purchase you made as a minor with your own money and without parental permission. Submitting a timely, valid Claim Form is the only way you can receive cash payments or additional V-Bucks/Credits, or if you wish to make a claim for minor disaffirmance. Please review the Frequently Asked Questions for more details. The deadline to submit a claim is April 26, 2021. |
| Do Nothing | If you acquired a random item 'Loot Llama' or a random item 'Crate' loot box, the contents of which were not known before opening, you will still automatically receive the 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks or the 1,000 Rocket League Credits. However, you will receive no cash payments and no additional V-Bucks or Credits under the Settlement, and you will give up your rights to sue Epic Games about the issues in this case (See the Settlement Agreement for a full description of what legal claims you will be releasing). |
| Exclude Yourself | You will not be entitled to submit a Claim Form for additional cash payments or V-Bucks/Credits, but you will retain any rights you currently have to sue Epic Games about the issues in this case. If you acquired a random item 'Loot Llama' or random item 'Crate' loot box, you will still automatically receive the 1,000 Fortnite V-Bucks or the 1,000 Rocket League Credits. The deadline to exclude yourself is April 12, 2021. |
| Object | Write to the Court explaining why you don't like the Settlement. The deadline to object is April 12, 2021. |
| Attend a Hearing | Ask to speak in Court about the fairness of the Settlement. The Final Approval Hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2021. |
These rights and options—and the deadlines to exercise them—are explained further on the FAQs page. Please review this website carefully.
