Epic Win
“Game over for the Apple tax” as US court rules publishers can freely link to off-store payments
The iPhone giant could face criminal contempt proceedings as judge issues scathing ruling
Week In Views
What an IPO means for Discord, Pocketpair challenges Nintendo, and Switch 2 fuels apps surge | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Guilty Google
Google found guilty of illegal ad tech monopolies
But the tech giant plans to appeal
Regulations To Watch
Regulatory issues to keep an eye on in the UK and EU
Taylor Wessing associate Laura Craig discusses recent enforcement actions over monetisation in the EU, and evolving regulations in the UK
French Fine
Apple hit with $162m fine over ATT in France
The Autorité de la concurrence has taken issue with Apple’s disproportionate implementation rather than its objective "at its core"
Publising Deal
Skystone Games takes US publishing rights for Mobile Legends as TikTok ban looms
ByteDance has been forced to relinquish publishing rights to the MOBA and Marvel Snap by US lawmakers
Regulatory Battle
Epic Games Store and Fortnite coming to iOS in Brazil this July
Move comes after the competition regulator’s big court win against Apple
App Stores
Brazil orders Apple to allow alternative app stores on iOS within 90 days
Ruling judge extended Apple’s compliance deadline from 20 to 90 days
French Fine
France readies Apple ATT antitrust fine and ban
A decision is expected to be reached this month, potentially leading to the privacy policy's first regulatory veto
Ai Legal Guide
Smart AI use: A guide for game studios
Futura Digital's Alexandra Kurdyumova and Valeria Gziryan delve into the legal and development issues surrounding generative AI in games
Jordan Investments
Jordan eyes significant investment to grow local games and tech sectors
Speakers at the online event Expanding Horizons: Doing Business in Jordan discussed establishing private businesses in Jordan, employment law and more
Lawsuit
Roblox sues PlayerAuctions over ‘unauthorised’ digital goods sales
It claims 8% to 10% of players appealing bans for real-money trading referenced PlayerAuctions
Hot Five
Hot Five: AI content regulations, Love and Deepspace’s first anniversary, and Monster Hunter series hits 100m unit sales
Our quick-fix roundup of the hottest stories on PocketGamer.biz
Tenuous Tiktok
Rumour: Microsoft is in talks to purchase TikTok, says Trump
President Donald Trump has claimed several companies have "great interest" in TikTok, including Microsoft
Pgc London 2025
PGC panel talks privacy, first-party data and avoiding a "last minute scramble"
PGC London panellists discuss privacy changes, the Digital Markets Act, ATT and the value of first-party data
Pgc London 2025
"The Digital Fairness Act is probably being drafted as we speak"
At PGC London 2025, video games lawyer Isabel Davies spoke about potential legal changes to F2P and "addictive" user retention strategies in the coming years
Mobile Mavens
Mobile Mavens: What will a US TikTok ban mean for the games industry?
We ask industry experts for their thoughts on the imminent US TikTok ban
Tiktok Ban
TikTok faces imminent US ban as Supreme Court rejects appeal
Judges conclude a ban does not violate freedom of speech
Tencent Trouble
Tencent shares fall as US designates publisher a Chinese military company
134 companies were named in this year's listing
Government Pressure
Tencent directors resign from Epic Games board over US Justice Department concerns
No company or individual has admitted liability in the investigation
Legal Battle
Did the European court just give cheats a thumbs-up?
Futura’s head of digital practice Alina Davletshina shares on the impact of Sony’s case against Datel
Tiktok Ban
US court rejects TikTok's bid to halt pending ban
ByteDance must divest TikTok by January 19th, 2025 or face a ban
What Is Happening?
What is Microsoft doing on mobile?
Xbox's messy mobile plans stumble again
Still Waiting
Microsoft delays Xbox Android store after US court temporarily pauses Google Play remedies
Tech giant claims mobile store is "ready to go"
Barcelona Battle
Unions reportedly file lawsuit against Ubisoft’s return-to-office mandate, backing Barcelona studios
The unions are working in association with Spanish trade body Confederación General del Trabajo
Potential Bribary
Nine NetEase Games employees allegedly arrested for money laundering and bribery
General manager Xiang Lang is among those reportedly under investigation
Week That Was
Pokémon TCG Pocket’s big launch, Rainbow Six Mobile is back and is technology in a downward spiral? | Week in Views
The Pocketgamer.biz team pick their highlights from the headlines this week and deliver the stories behind the stories
Dma Dominance
Report: EU readies Digital Markets Act’s first-ever fine against Apple
There may be periodic penalties for noncompliance, according to people familiar with the matter
The Battle Endures
Google accuses Microsoft of wanting to "free-ride" on Play Store’s success amid Epic Games legal battle
Microsoft came out in support of Epic Games last week - now Google has responded
Podcast | Episode 35
Facebook Instant Games is back! And Games First 2024 takeaways | Week in Mobile Games podcast
The PocketGamer.biz podcast team give you the state of play every week. Here's where to get it and and what's inside this week's episode 35...
Legal Battle
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company vs. Pocket Pair: Understanding the details
Futura Digital’s Alexandra Kurdyumova and Evgenia Shikholeva explain why Nintendo is filing a patent rights lawsuit over a copyright infringement
Legal Advice
Telegram Mini Apps: What’s inside?
Futura Digital’s Alexandra Kurdyumova and Christina Sirozh share on what Telegram Mini Apps are and how to be compliant with its rules and regulations
Loot Box Laws
EA victorious after Austrian court rules that FIFA 23 loot boxes are not gambling
The court said that the player did not acquire FIFA Ultimate Team packs with the intent to profit
Cook Curses Commission
Donald Trump claims Apple CEO Tim Cook complained to him about multi-billion dollar EU fines
The former US president shared his conversation with Cook on the PBD podcast
Legal Proceedings
Google wins temporary reprieve in legal showdown with Epic Games
Epic says Google is using “fearmongering" and “unsubstantiated security threats" to maintain control over Android devices
Ruling Regulation
Epic beats Google: Play Store must allow third-party app store distribution in US
Starting November 1st, 2024, Google must allow distribution of rival stores from its own
They Only Hurt
Tim Sweeney: "I have no regrets" over Epic Games' costly legal battles with Apple and Google
Epic Games CEO told PocketGamer.biz the costs had been "really significant"
Auto Blocker
Epic files lawsuit against Google and Samsung over “anti-competitive” app Auto Blocker
"This goes against everything we've been fighting for in Epic vs. Apple and Epic vs. Google," says CEO Tim Sweeney
Pokemon Vs Palworld
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company file lawsuit against Palworld eight months later
Audiences quickly compared Palworld to Pokémon in character designs and certain game mechanics
Strict Laws
Australia sets new rules for games with loot boxes and gambling-like content
Games with interactive simulated gambling will automatically receive an R18+ rating
Lawsuit Triumph
The Pokémon Company wins $15 million in lawsuit over copyright infringement
Pocket Monster Reissue had infringed company's copyright by using Ash Ketchum and Pikachu in the game
Copyright Case
IBM awarded $44.9 million in patent infringement lawsuit against Zynga
Patents have now expired and no changes to the publisher's titles will be required
Attack Of The Clones
Clones and how to combat them: Examples from the games industry
Futura Digital delves into the world of clones and what legal action developers can take
Privacy Protection
IGDA argues to Supreme Court that trademark address requirements open up devs to potential harassment
Laws around trademark applicants require registrants to provide their home address
Legal Advice
Tax benefits for IT and games developers
Futura Digital co-founder Alexandra Kurdyumova and associate Roman Motorin delve into tax relief options for developers
Pgc Helsinki
Isabel Davies: EU’s Digital Fitness Fairness Check could cause "big overhauls" in 2025
The regulation of free-to-play is a complex topic due to its ever-changing nature, but next year’s check could really change the game…
Battle Over Bots
Skillz files lawsuit against rivals Voodoo over alleged "straight-out lies", bots, and rigged tournaments
Their latest suit claims Voodoo has falsely advertised Blitz - Win Cash and harmed Skillz market share
Gambling Crackdown
Northern Ireland’s APG wants "stringent, legally mandated regulations" imposed on loot boxes
The group has called for gambling mechanics in games to be "severely limited" now that the results of a public health inquiry are in
Legal Advice
Epic's Fortnite fine: The precedent and potential consequences of in-game purchases in the Netherlands
Epic Games were hit with a €1m+ bill for "deceiving children", but what can devs and publishers do to avoid being hit with similar legal action?
Platform Party
Eggy Party to expand onto console with crossplay Nintendo Switch release
NetEase’s hit party game is releasing on Nintendo Switch on July 19th