Apple's case against Epic Games limited to breach of contract, antitrust

California US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers dismissed some of Apple Inc's counterclaims against Epic Games, limiting the dispute to a breach of contract and an antitrust case.

Epic Games launched its in-app payment system to circumvent Apple’s practices, prompting the latter to seek counterclaims for intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and conversion, where it sought App Store fees and other monetary damages.

In October, Epic filed a motion seeking the dismissal of Apple's counterclaims.

In throwing out most of Apple's counterclaims, the federal judge said that the iPhone maker couldn't say Epic's conduct is independently wrongful without having a factual basis.

Rogers said all there is in front of her is a high-stakes breach of contract and antitrust case.

Expectedly, the iPhone maker disagreed with Rogers' decision.

Another judge had ruled that Apple could bar Epic’s Fortnite game from its App Store but should steer clear of Epic’s developer tools business, including the Unreal Engine software.