Controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2022
FTC privacy and interface settlements
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission announced settlements resolving allegations that Epic collected personal information from children without appropriate parental consent and used allegedly deceptive interface practices that could cause unwanted purchases or make cancellation difficult. The announced remedies included financial penalties and required changes to privacy and purchase practices.
2021
Epic Games pledges to improve Fortnite Crew
Company response
Epic Games said it was working to improve Fortnite Crew after subscribers experienced problems unsubscribing on Xbox and delays in receiving January V-Buck rewards. Epic also announced a free emote for all subscribers as compensation.
Stated objective. Epic Games said it was working to make the subscription a better experience and to eliminate current issues and prevent future ones.
Company response
Remediation — Epic Games
To compensate, Epic announced it would give all subscribers a free emote named "Members Only", which lets you and another player exchange a secret handshake.
Remediation — Epic Games
As part of our commitment to deliver Fortnite Crew members the best experience possible, our team is working hard to eliminate current issues, prevent future ones, and bring more cool content and features.
Source excerpt
Early issues experienced by subscribers include complications unsubscribing on Xbox, and a delay in recieving V-Buck rewards for January.
To compensate, Epic announced it would give all subscribers a free emote named "Members Only", which lets you and another player exchange a secret handshake.
Fortnite maker Epic Games has pledged to improve the game's £10 a month subscription offer, ahead of revealing its third exclusive free skin.
2021
Epic files UK competition complaint against Apple and Google
Lawsuit filed
Epic filed a complaint with the UK Competition Appeal Tribunal alleging that Apple and Google abused their dominant positions in their app stores in breach of UK competition law. Epic said it sought to have Apple allow Fortnite back on the UK App Store.
Source excerpt
该公司声称，苹果将Fortnite从App Store中移除的决定是非法的，该公司的目标是让苹果允许Fortnite重返英国App Store。
周四，英国竞争上诉法庭公布了Epic的投诉。其指控苹果和谷歌在各自的应用商店中的行为是滥用主导地位，违反了英国的竞争法，大大减少了应用分销和支付过程中的竞争。
2020
Apple terminates Epic Games' App Store developer account
Issue disclosure
Apple terminated Epic Games' App Store developer account amid a dispute between the two companies over App Store fees and rules. The termination prevented Epic Games from submitting new apps or updates to the App Store. It also prevented purchases of Fortnite through Apple's payment system.
Source excerpt
This means Epic canât submit new apps or updates to the App Store and it prevents iPhone users from making purchases inside Epicâs popular Fortnite video game via Appleâs payment system.
Apple terminated Epic Gamesâs App Store developer account, escalating a bitter legal fight over the iPhone makerâs controversial fees and rules.
âTheir proposal is an invitation for Epic to collude with Apple to maintain their monopoly over in-app payments on iOS, suppressing free market competition and inflating prices.
2020
Judge dismisses copyright lawsuit over Fortnite dance emote
Ruling
A judge threw out a copyright lawsuit brought by college basketball players Jaylen Brantley and Jared Nickens over Fortnite's inclusion of a running-man dance emote, concluding that the emote was not similar enough to their video.
Source excerpt
This suit has been in the various processes of the legal system for ages and it was finally thrown out of court today by a judge. The judge had come to the conclusion that the emote in Fornite was not similar enough to which was shown in the video of Brantly and Nickens dancing.
2020
Coral Castle museum plans to sue Epic over Fortnite location
Lawsuit filed
The people at the Coral Castle museum said they were going to sue Epic over Fortnite's Coral Castle location, alleging similarities to the real-life site and use of its trademarked name without permission, and seeking monetary damages related to alleged confusion.
Source excerpt
Coral Castle wants to get monetary damages associated with the confusion between the two, and for Epic using the trademarked name without their permission.
The company behind that location, which is also known as Florida's Stonehenge, is out to sue Epic for using the Coral Castle name in Fortnite.
The people at Coral Castle museum feel that the Fortnite location has a lot of similarities to the real-life spot, including “nautical/beach motifs, castle structures, partial castle walls, and stone objects.”
2019
Quebec parents file proposed class action over Fortnite
Lawsuit filed
A Montreal-based law firm launched a proposed class action in Canada on behalf of two Quebec parents, alleging that Fortnite publisher Epic Games failed to warn parents about the game's allegedly addictive and potentially harmful nature.
Source excerpt
A new lawsuit in Canada however claims its business practices mirror that of gambling and addiction.
It is these services a family in Quebec is claiming is scientifically engineered to be as addictive as possible.
Epic Games is accused of violating California Business Code, consumer protection laws, as well as negligent misrepresentation.
2019
Epic sues Fortnite tester over Chapter 2 leaks
Lawsuit filed
Epic sued Fortnite tester Ronald Sykes, alleging that he leaked information about Fortnite Chapter 2 and breached a non-disclosure agreement; the lawsuit also alleges misappropriation of trade secrets.
Source excerpt
Epic is now calling for injunctive relief and maximum damages for the alleged breach of contract and "misappropriation" of trade secrets.
Epic is suing a Fortnite tester it alleges leaked Chapter Two information.
Epic is taking one of its testers to court, alleging that he leaked information about Fortnite Chapter 2 which "spoiled" the rollout for other players.