Apple vs Epic Games: US Appeals Court Says Apple's App Store Rules Don't Violate Antitrust Law

The US appeals court held that Apple cannot ban developers from providing links or buttons to external payments outside the App Store.

Brought to you by Trickyenough

A US appeals court on Monday upheld a federal court's order that could force Apple to change payment practices in its App Store.

Brought to you by Trickyenough

Apple said it may appeal the decision. The US 9th Circuit Court of Appeal upheld a 2021 order in an antitrust case brought by "Fortnite" creator Epic Games that could require Apple to allow developers to provide links and buttons for third-party in-app payment options and avoid paying sales commissions to the iPhone maker.

Brought to you by Trickyenough

Apple shares ended the day up slightly at $165.33 (roughly Rs. 13,500). The appeals court sided with Apple on nine other matters in the case, agreeing with the trial court that Apple's App Store rules do not violate antitrust laws and allowing its commissions of up 30 percent for in-app payments to stand.

Brought to you by Trickyenough

"For the second time in two years, a federal court has ruled that Apple abides by antitrust laws at the state and federal levels," Apple said in a statement. "We respectfully disagree with the court's ruling on the one remaining claim under state law and are considering further review."

Brought to you by Trickyenough

Apple did not say whether it planned to appeal to a larger group of judges on the 9th Circuit or to the US Supreme Court. The company has 14 days to file its appeal. The trial court's orders will remain paused while any appeals unfold.

Brought to you by Trickyenough

In a statement, Epic conceded that it lost on its antitrust claims, but said the trial court order "frees iOS developers to send consumers to the web to do business with them directly there. We're working on next steps."

Brought to you by Trickyenough