As the legal battle between Apple andFortnite’s developer Epic Games continues, it looks like Tim Cook will be joining the fray. With a judge ruling that Cook sit for a deposition, the Apple CEO can no longer avoid theFortnitecase.
Back in 2020, Epic Games put out an update for theFortniteapp and this is where the trouble began. Essentially, the change involved a way for Epic Games to get around the payment method for the iOS App Store. Once this came to light, Apple took punitive action by removing one of themost dominate battle royalesfrom its storefront. This led to the current legal battle, where the developer is taking the stance that Apple is violating antitrust regulations.
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Originally, part of Apple’s request was for the judge to excuse Tim Cook from the deposition. However, it was denied, so now the CEO needs to sit for a seven-hour deposition. However, this is not the only part of the request that saw pushback. The judge also refused the company’s request for a shorter four hour deposition. In addition, Apple’s hope to subpoena documents from Samsung in relation to its distribution ofFortnitewas turned down.
Time is ticking, as theApple vs. Epic Games trialis supposedly going to start this May. While the rejections may be disappointing for Cook, there does seem to be some grounds for the decision. The ruling judge, Thomas S. Hixon, suggests that the request only limits the length of the deposition. Apple’s compromise to four hours is also not acceptable in the judge’s ruling due to there being more information than originally presented. Plus, Judge Hixon makes the assertion that Cook must sit for the deposition due to him being the only one at Apple who can testify about the company’s views on competition.
As some may already be aware, this case does have potential to set some landmark precedent. Depending on the final ruling, the outcome could have consequences for any developer selling an app through the iOS store. With theFortniteban having such implications, it does make sense for Cook to sit for the deposition. Whether or not that could have been resolved in four hours, rather than seven, is impossible to say.
That said, onlookers may consider the moves by Epic Games to be suspect. Upon removal ofFortnitefrom the App Store, the developer immediately started the legal challenge andFree Fortnite PR campaign. It is fairly obvious that the company behindFortnitehad a good idea that Apple would take this route. Some players may wonder why Epic would focus time and resources on an expensive legal battle rather than fixing glitches or improving their flagship game. In any case, Cook’s presence for the deposition should allow for the trial to start with any information necessary to result in a genuine ruling.
Fortniteis available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
