A federal judge ruled that Apple must immediately stop charging commissions on purchases made outside its App Store, dealing a major blow to the tech giant's control over its lucrative app ecosystem. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple had "willfully violated" her previous 2021 injunction in the long-running legal battle with Epic Games .
"Apple's continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated," wrote Gonzalez Rogers in her 80-page ruling. The judge also referred the case to US attorneys to review for possible criminal contempt proceedings against both Apple and one of its executives.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the decision, declaring on social media: "NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax . Apple's 15-30% junk fees are now just as dead here in the United States of America as they are in Europe."
The ruling prohibits Apple from imposing "any commission or any fee on purchases that consumers make outside an app" and blocks the company from restricting developers' placement of links for external purchases.
Apple executive "Outright Lied" During Trial
In her decision, Gonzalez Rogers stated that Apple Vice President of Finance Alex Roman had "outright lied" under oath about the company's decision to implement a 27% commission on purchases made through web links.
"This is an injunction, not a negotiation. There are no do-overs once a party willfully disregards a court order," the judge wrote, emphasizing that "time is of the essence."
Apple responded in a statement: "We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal."
Epic CEO’s “peace proposal” to Apple
Following the ruling, Sweeney announced that Epic's popular game Fortnite would return to the iOS App Store "next week" after being removed in 2020 when the legal battle began.
"It's a huge victory for developers," Sweeney said. "This means all developers can offer both Apple's payment service side by side with their own payment service."
Sweeney also extended an olive branch to Apple, stating: "Epic puts forth a peace proposal: 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."
"Apple's continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated," wrote Gonzalez Rogers in her 80-page ruling. The judge also referred the case to US attorneys to review for possible criminal contempt proceedings against both Apple and one of its executives.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the decision, declaring on social media: "NO FEES on web transactions. Game over for the Apple Tax . Apple's 15-30% junk fees are now just as dead here in the United States of America as they are in Europe."
The ruling prohibits Apple from imposing "any commission or any fee on purchases that consumers make outside an app" and blocks the company from restricting developers' placement of links for external purchases.
Apple executive "Outright Lied" During Trial
In her decision, Gonzalez Rogers stated that Apple Vice President of Finance Alex Roman had "outright lied" under oath about the company's decision to implement a 27% commission on purchases made through web links.
"This is an injunction, not a negotiation. There are no do-overs once a party willfully disregards a court order," the judge wrote, emphasizing that "time is of the essence."
Apple responded in a statement: "We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal."
Epic CEO’s “peace proposal” to Apple
Following the ruling, Sweeney announced that Epic's popular game Fortnite would return to the iOS App Store "next week" after being removed in 2020 when the legal battle began.
"It's a huge victory for developers," Sweeney said. "This means all developers can offer both Apple's payment service side by side with their own payment service."
Sweeney also extended an olive branch to Apple, stating: "Epic puts forth a peace proposal: 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."
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