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The
iPhone maker on Wednesday terminated a new developer account
created by Epic in Sweden in an attempt to put Fornite and other
games back on iPhones in Europe by running its own game store on
Apple's devices.
Epic Games sought to take advantage of landmark EU rules known
as the Digital Markets Act (DMA) which kick in on Thursday and
require Apple to open up its closed eco-system to rivals.
Apple blocked the effort, citing Epic's past breaches of
contract in the long-running legal dispute.
"We have requested further explanations on this from Apple under
the DMA (Digital Markets Act)," a European Commission
spokesperson said in an email.
"We are also evaluating whether Apple's actions raise doubts on
their compliance with the DSA (Digital Services Act) and the P2B
(Platform to Business Regulation), given the links between the
developer programme membership and the App store as designated
VLOP (very large online platform)."
Under the DSA, decisions suspending or terminating accounts have
to be proportionate and with due regard to fundamental rights
while the P2B requires a platform to notify a business user when
terms and conditions are changed and before an account is
closed.
Apple reiterated on Thursday that it exercised its rights which
has been determined by courts.
"Epic's egregious breach of its contractual obligations to Apple
led courts to determine that Apple has the right to terminate
'any or all of Epic Games' wholly owned subsidiaries,
affiliates, and/or other entities under Epic Games' control at
any time and at Apple’s sole discretion'," an Apple spokesperson
said.
"In light of Epic’s past and ongoing behavior, Apple chose to
exercise that right."
Epic on Wednesday said Apple was removing one of the largest
potential competitors to the Apple App Store.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Susan Fenton and Toby
Chopra)
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