In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has ruled that Apple can no longer impose fees on purchases made outside its App Store or restrict developers from directing users to alternative payment methods. The ruling, effective immediately, marks a significant victory for Epic Games in its ongoing legal battle against Apple.
Apple has announced plans to appeal the decision, but the court’s order is a clear rebuke of the tech giant’s previous attempts to circumvent antitrust regulations.
Key Takeaways from the Ruling
Judge Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple “willfully” defied her 2021 injunction, which required the company to allow developers to link to external payment options. In her latest ruling, she stated:
“That [Apple] thought this Court would tolerate such insubordination was a gross miscalculation.”
The judge also referred the case to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for potential criminal contempt proceedings, signaling the severity of Apple’s non-compliance.
What Apple Can No Longer Do:
- Charge commissions on purchases made outside of apps.
- Restrict how developers design, format, or place links to external payment options.
- Block or limit buttons, calls to action, or other methods that direct users to alternative payment systems.
- Interfere with users leaving an app—except for a neutral warning about third-party transactions.
Apple’s Response & Industry Reactions
Apple’s Senior Director of Corporate Communications, Olivia Dalton, stated:
“We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court’s order and we will appeal.”
Meanwhile, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite will return to the U.S. App Store next week. He also extended a “peace proposal” to Apple:
“If Apple extends the court’s friction-free, Apple-tax-free framework worldwide, we’ll return Fortnite to the App Store worldwide and drop current and future litigation on the topic.”
Spotify, another vocal critic of Apple’s policies, hailed the ruling as:
“A victory for developers everywhere.”
Why This Ruling Matters
For years, Apple has enforced a 30% commission on in-app purchases, a policy that sparked backlash from developers and regulators. Even after the 2021 ruling, Apple introduced a 27% fee on external transactions—a move the court deemed an attempt to maintain its revenue stream unlawfully.
Judge Gonzalez Rogers revealed internal tensions at Apple, noting that App Store chief Phil Schiller advocated for compliance, while CEO Tim Cook and CFO Luca Maestri chose defiance.
What’s Next?
- Apple’s appeal could prolong the legal battle, but the immediate ruling forces significant changes.
- Developers gain more freedom to steer users toward cheaper payment alternatives.
- Consumers may benefit from lower prices if developers pass on the savings from avoiding Apple’s fees.
This case sets a major precedent in the fight against Big Tech’s monopolistic practices, reinforcing the need for fair competition in digital marketplaces.
