The legal standoff between Epic Games and Apple, which had been on hold in Australia, is gearing up to restart and will now also involve Google due to a related lawsuit. Epic Games had initiated legal action in Australian courts in 2020 as part of its worldwide legal challenge against Apple over "Fortnite." The case was paused in April 2021, pending the outcome of the U.S. lawsuit. With the U.S. legal battles nearing their end, the Australian case is set to recommence, with both Apple and Google preparing to defend against Epic's claims of monopolistic practices and issues with in-app purchases. Justice Jonathan Beach has opted to consolidate the cases against Apple and Google with a class-action lawsuit to streamline the process, anticipating high-profile witnesses from all involved companies.
The trial is anticipated to extend over five months, with the initial presentations followed by three months dedicated to expert and witness testimonies. Notable figures from Apple and Google, along with Epic's CEO Tim Sweeney, are expected to contribute. Following the evidence presentation, the final submissions will span two weeks, concluding in mid-July. However, Justice Beach's decision might not be delivered for another six months after the trial ends, potentially prolonging the entire legal process with appeals until 2025 or later.