Source: Shutterstock Epic Games, the video game giant that notably offers the hugely popular Fortnite title, lost its application to allow an appeal to the Quebec Court of Appeals on Friday.
In doing so, the company has not blocked a class action lawsuit alleging that the game in question, which has been a hit among teenagers, among other things, would create an addiction.
In a judgment of the magistrate Guy Cournoyerconfirms the class action motion first approved by the Superior Court on December 7 last year.
Epic Games’ attorneys are My Nick Rodrigo, Faiz Lalani And Amelie Lehouillier by Davies Ward Phillips.
My Faiz Munir Lalani, Nick Rodrigo and Amélie Lehouillier. Source: Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg website Plaintiff’s attorneys are Mes Alessandra Esposito Chartrand, Jean-Philippe Caron, Gabriel Bois, and Rory McGovern And Benjamin Tavernier-Labrie the law firm Calex.
The trial dates back to the fall of 2019, when three Quebec parents went to court to denounce the impact of the video game title.
According to the plaintiffs, in addition to the physical and psychological consequences of the cyber addiction caused by gambling, “Fortnite addiction would encourage excessive spending as players would spend lavishly and purchase V-Bucks, the value of which would be very difficult to translate into current currency.”
These V-Bucks are Fortnite’s own currency, purchased with real-world money and used to obtain cosmetic upgrades and accessories.
My Gabriel Bois, Benjamin Tavernier-Labrie, Alessandra Esposito Chartrand and Jean-Philippe Caron. Source: CaLex Legal website Epic Games, in its motion to appeal the class action’s approval, claimed that it had not had an opportunity to be properly heard, in addition to raising other procedural issues, including “errors” related to the court proceedings .
According to Judge Cournoyer, however, the company’s claims are unfounded; the application for leave to appeal is therefore rejected.