Apple must 'show cause' on why courts shouldn't order Fortnite back onto App Store

UPDATE: Fortnite is back on the App Store, Epic Games has officially confirmed, putting an end to a years-long battle with Apple.

Epic Games wants Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to order Apple to allow Fortnite back on the App Store. Now Judge Rogers is putting the burden on Apple to prove why the courts shouldn't enforce Epic's proposed motion.

2

Earlier today, we reported that Epic Games has prposed that the Northern California district court esentially order Fortnite back on the App Store. Over a week ago, Epic had re-submitted Fortnite to the App Store, which Apple declined. Epic's proposal reiterates that Judge Rogers, who is presiding over the case, found that Apple broke the court's previous injunction order. As relief for this violation, Epic proposes that Judge Rogers enforce the injunction partly by ordering Apple to accept a "compliant version" of Fortnite:

"For the foregoing reasons, Epic requests that the Court enter an Order (1) finding that Apple violated the Injunction by refusing to consider Epic's Fortnite submission; and (2) requiring Apple to accept any compliant version of Fortnite onto the U.S. storefront of the App Store," reads Epic's proposal.

Now the court has responded in a new filing, with Judge Rogers saying that it's up to Apple to prove why Epic's proposed enforcement order shouldn't be carried out.

In the new order, Judge Rogers remarked: "Apple is fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing."

Check below for the order to show cause that was recently issued by the court:

"The Court is in receipt of Epic Games, Inc.'s Motion to Enforce the Injunction. The Court thus issues this Order to Show Cause as to why the motion should not be granted. Briefing shall occur on the schedule listed below and shall include the legal authority upon which Apple contends that it can ignore this Court's order having not received a stay from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal even though its request was filed twelve days ago on May 7, 2025.

"Obviously, Apple is fully capable of resolving this issue without further briefing or a hearing.

"However, if the parties do not file a joint notice that this issue is resolved, and this Court's intervention is required, the Apple official who is personally responsible for ensuring compliance shall personally appear at the hearing hereby set for Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the United States District Court, Northern District of California, Oakland, California, Courtroom One.

"Accordingly, any opposition brief shall be filed by Wednesday, May 21, 2025, 5:00 p.m. Pacific and shall identify by name the Apple official, referenced above, who shall be fully prepared to answer any questions on the topic. Any reply brief shall be filed by Friday, May 23, 2025, 10:00 a.m. Pacific.

"IT IS SO ORDERED."