I agree this was indeed announced prior to the Epic Games event, but Apple chose when to remove their developer account. Apple absolutely had the leeway to remove an app violating their terms (which at that point, the account is no longer violating the policy), but not close out the entire account. The choice to do that was punitive, because they really want Epic to roll back the change for revenue reasons.
I am not sure "they sued Apple" counts as a "legal reason" for blocking the app. Not giving Apple a cut of sales isn't illegal.
(Note the judge during the TRO hearing felt both companies were being stubborn here, as whether Epic removed the payment method or Apple allowed the app, the winning company to get back their monetary impact upon the conclusion of the case. Keeping the app off the store is "making a point" more than actually protecting any revenue on either side.)
It’s simple contract violation, Epic violated terms and conditions they agreed to in exchange for being on the Store.
Leaving the app up allows Epic to continue to break rules and Apple has consistently said if Epic submitted a version of Fortnite without the alternate purchase options and the dynamic updating that allowed Epic to modify it without App Review they’d put it back up. Instead Epic submitted three versions with those same features.
Apple's policy on terminating entire developer accounts is consistent in that malicious violations of the guidelines will be considered breach of contract and warrant deletion of the account within 14 days.
I am not sure "they sued Apple" counts as a "legal reason" for blocking the app. Not giving Apple a cut of sales isn't illegal.
(Note the judge during the TRO hearing felt both companies were being stubborn here, as whether Epic removed the payment method or Apple allowed the app, the winning company to get back their monetary impact upon the conclusion of the case. Keeping the app off the store is "making a point" more than actually protecting any revenue on either side.)