Epic Games says Apple is keeping it from the game marketplace on iPhones and iPads in Europe in the latest legal dustup between the two tech giants.

In a series of posts on X, Epic said Apple is impeding the launch of its game store over claims that the user interface is too similar to that of Apple’s own App Store. 

“We are using the same ‘install’ and ‘in-app purchases’ naming conventions that are used across popular app stores on multiple platforms,” Epic wrote Friday. “And are following standard conventions for buttons in iOS apps.”

The company also accused Apple of violating Europe’s Digital Markets Act, which requires companies like Apple to allow cheaper and alternative stores on its platforms and devices. Epic said it will appeal to the European Commission.

Apple said it is working with Epic to resolve the issue. 

This week’s accusations come four years after Epic and Apple began their legal battles. In 2020, Epic sued Apple over its policy of collecting a 30% commission on in-app purchases for apps downloaded through the App Store. 

Apple has since updated its commission policies to adhere to the Digital Markets Act and has allowed alternative app stores on its devices. But developers still need to pay a fee to operate on Apple phones and tablets. 

EU regulators haven’t been convinced by Apple’s changes and launched an investigation of the company’s policies in June.

• Vaughn Cockayne can be reached at vcockayne@washingtontimes.com.