Apple Denies Violating Court Order in Epic Games’ App Store Dispute

Apple has refuted claims of breaching a court order governing its App Store and has urged a California federal judge to dismiss Epic Games’ request to hold it in contempt. 

The dispute stems from Epic’s allegations of antitrust violations by Apple concerning its control over app distribution and in-app transactions.

Legal Background:

Epic Games initiated a lawsuit against Apple in 2020, accusing the tech giant of antitrust practices related to its strict App Store policies. 

While Epic’s case saw limited success, a 2021 ruling by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers mandated Apple to afford developers more freedom in directing users to alternative payment methods for digital purchases. 

Despite Apple’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, the injunction order remained upheld.

Apple’s Defense:

In its filing to Judge Rogers, Apple criticized Epic’s request as an attempt to exert undue control over its business operations. 

Apple argued against providing its tools and technologies to developers for free, stating that such demands were aimed at enhancing Epic’s profitability at Apple’s expense.

Epic’s Allegations:

Epic Games contends that Apple violated the court’s injunction by imposing a 27% fee on developers for certain transactions, rendering alternative payment links impractical. 

Additionally, Epic accuses Apple of restricting apps from informing users about alternative payment options, further exacerbating the dispute.

Industry Support for Epic:

Other tech giants, including Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Elon Musk’s X, and Match Group, have echoed Epic’s concerns, asserting that Apple’s actions constitute a clear breach of the court’s order.

A similar legal battle between Epic Games and Alphabet’s Google is ongoing, with a San Francisco judge expected to issue a separate injunction impacting the Google Play Store later this year.