Apple Lawsuit Ends In Court Ruling It Can’t Force Apps To Use Payment System
Image via Visuth.s / Shutterstock.com
Apple’s long-drawn-out lawsuit with Fortnite creator Epic Games has finally come to a conclusion (for now), with a judge ruling that the tech giant can no longer force app developers to only use the company’s payment system.
On September 10, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers of the US District Court in the Northern District of California ruled that Apple had violated the state’s Unfair Competition Law, as it had forced Epic Games to use its payment system on the App Store, which sees the tech firm pocketing 30% commission on every in-app purchase.
Following the new injunction, Apple will no longer be able to stop developers from adding links to external payment options. This means that apps will now be able to allow users to pay for a subscription via their web browser, instead of directly through the app.
However, the court did stop short of ruling that Apple had a monopoly, as reported by CNN.
“Given the trial record, the Court cannot ultimately conclude that Apple is a monopolist under either federal or state antitrust laws. Success is not illegal. The final trial record did not include evidence of other critical factors, such as barriers to entry, and conduct decreasing output or decreasing innovation in the relevant market,” said court documents.
The iPhone maker was pleased by the ruling, saying it proved the app store wasn’t in violation of antitrust laws, and wasn’t running a monopoly.
Epic Games, however, said it hadn’t reached a win for developers or consumers, though it “will fight on.”
“Epic is fighting for fair competition among in-app payment methods and app stores for a billion customers. Fortnite will return to the iOS App Store when and where Epic can offer in-app payment in fair competition with Apple in-app payment, passing along the savings to consumers,” said Epic Games founder Tim Sweeney.
While this trial is over, it really is just the beginning. Epic Games has already filed an appeal to the ruling, as per 9to5Mac. By the looks of it, this battle with Apple will probably continue for years.
Today’s ruling isn't a win for developers or for consumers. Epic is fighting for fair competition among in-app payment methods and app stores for a billion consumers. https://t.co/cGTBxThnsP
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 10, 2021
Thanks to everyone who put so much time and effort into the battle over fair competition on digital platforms, and thanks especially to the court for managing a very complex case on a speedy timeline. We will fight on.
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) September 10, 2021
[via CNN, cover image via Visuth.s / Shutterstock.com]
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