Asian Tech Press (SEP 23) -- Online video game Fortnite developer Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said Apple had blacklisted Fortnite until the court appeal process is fully completed, which could last up to five years.

According to a court filing, the deadline for opening arguments in Epic Games' appeal to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is Dec. 12, and the deadline for Apple's response is Jan. 20, 2022. The entire appeal process could take several years.

Sweeney took to Twitter to condemn Apple's move and said Epic Games will continue to fight the tech giant.

The companies have been embroiled in a legal dispute since last August when Epic Games tried to launch its own in-app payment system as a way to circumvent the 30 percent fee Apple charges for in-app purchase activity in the App Store.

Apple confirmed the veracity of Sweeney's comments above but declined to comment further. Apple has not yet said whether it will ask for a stay of the injunction pending the appeal process.