Apple Executives Tim Cook and Craig Federighi Drawn into Epic Courtroom Conflict
The legal battle between tech giants Apple and Epic Games continues, with new developments unfolding in the dispute over in-app transactions in Fortnite.
According to reports first spotted by AppleInsider, Epic Games has requested detailed documentation from Apple regarding how the App Store is run, given the ongoing dispute over Apple's 30% commission from in-app purchases. This request has led to a series of court orders and filings.
Initially, Apple agreed that Apple CEO Tim Cook would testify, but only for four hours. However, Judge Thomas S. Hixon rejected the 4-hour time limit for Cook's deposition, stating that the length of his deposition can be addressed later. Cook has been mandated to appear for the deposition.
Craig Federighi, Apple's senior vice president of software engineering, has been designated as a "document custodian" in the legal battle. He is responsible for providing electronically stored information related to copyrights, including specific documents and communications concerning software development and licensing.
In a previous version of this article, it was incorrectly stated that a judge had ordered Tim Cook and Craig Federighi to testify; in fact, Cook volunteered to testify, while Federighi has been made a "document custodian."
Apple also requested to send Erik Neuenschwander, who is in charge of the App Store and Federighi's subordinate, instead of Federighi himself. However, the court did not find Neuenschwander as a suitable replacement for Federighi in the proceedings.
The court sided with Apple, stating that Epic should not ask for more data than is relevant or necessary to the case. The next court filing deadline is January 6, and a hearing is scheduled for January 8.
It's worth noting that Federighi is considered a decision-maker within Apple, while Neuenschwander's role is more specialized. This court order reveals some interesting tidbits about the ongoing legal battle between Apple and Epic.
The trial between Apple and Epic is scheduled to begin in July. The legal battle continues, with new court filings and hearings scheduled in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
