Federal judge dismisses Apple theft allegations in Epic Games’ ongoing legal fight

A California federal judge on Tuesday dismissed some of Apple’s counterclaims against Epic Games in its ongoing antitrust battle over Apple’s App Store charges (via Bloomberg).

Apple and Epic have been arguing in court since August, when Apple removed Fortnite from the “App Store” after “Epic Games” introduced a direct payment option in the app, defying “App Store” rules. . ‌Epic Games‌ quickly filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of anti-competitive actions.

In September, Apple filed a counter-action to prevent the game creator from using its own payment system for Fortnite. Apple also accused Epic of theft and asked for additional damages beyond the breach of contract.

In October, Epic filed a motion ahead of Tuesday’s hearing asking to dismiss Apple’s counterclaims for intentional interference with potential economic benefit and conversion, as well as its offer of punitive damages.

U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers on Tuesday allowed Epic Games two’s motion for judgment, dismissing Apple’s two claims for loss of App Store fees and other pecuniary damages.

“This is a high stakes breach of contract and antitrust case and that’s it in my opinion,” Gonzalez told Apple lawyers, according to Bloomberg. “You can’t just independently say it’s illegal. You actually have to have facts,” the judge said, adding that the rest of the breach of contract case was moving forward.

Apple said Bloomberg that she disagreed with the judge’s ruling, adding that it was clear Epic had severed his contract with the company. Epic in October had a preliminary injunction rejected by the same judge, which means Fortnite will remain unavailable on the ‌App Store‌ for the duration of the trial, assuming the app remains in violation of ‌App review guidelines. Store‌. The case continues.