A judge has ruled that Apple CEO Tim Cook must make a seven-hour filing for the next case against Epic Games. Apple auction to quote Samsung in case of how Fortnite the game is distributed, it was also refused.
The ongoing dispute between Epic Games and Apple will be judged in May 2021, but both sides are preparing for testimony and submissions. In the latest round of hearings on the preparations, a judge rejected Apple’s request that Tim Cook be excused from filing.
Conformable Law360U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson disagreed with Apple’s legal argument, saying it “limits the length of a filing, rather than banning it altogether.” He also concluded that Apple’s compromise offer of four hours of filing was inadequate because the case has “less than the eye”.
“[In] these three antitrust actions “, says the court’s conclusion, accordingly Law360, “The facts of the case go far beyond the historical facts of what happened then. There’s really no one like Apple’s CEO who can testify to how Apple sees competition in these different markets that are critical to its business model.
At the same hearing, Judge Hixson rejected Apple’s request to cite internal documents from Samsung. Noting that Samsung was not a party to the case, the judge described Apple’s request as “almost strange.”
Apple has alleged that the documentation shows how Samsung distributes “Fortnite”, the Epic Games title at the center of the dispute.
In August 2020, Epic Games updated “Fortnite” to include a new optional payment method. Apple has removed the game from the App Store, citing the requirement that all in-app purchases go through the store’s payment mechanism.