The court orders Apple to stop collecting fees for purchases made outside the App Store

Apple can't charge fees outside App Store; Epic revives Fortnite on iOS.

: Apple has been ordered by a court to immediately cease collecting commissions on purchases made outside its App Store following a long-standing legal dispute with Epic Games. Previously, a judge ruled that Apple must allow developers to guide users to external payment methods, but Apple allegedly continued to collect significant fees in defiance of this. Epic Games, having accused Apple of non-compliance, plans to restore Fortnite on iOS in the US and extends a proposal for worldwide resolution. Both sides prepare for continued legal proceedings following Apple's decision to appeal the ruling.

The legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, initiated in 2020, has led to a significant ruling by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. The judge reaffirmed her authority over Apple's platform dynamics, asserting that Apple has violated her previous judgments by enforcing fees on transactions not processed via the App Store. This ruling highlights the ongoing struggle between major tech corporations and the legal system concerning fair business practices and competitive market dynamics.

Previously, in a 2021 ruling, Gonzalez Rogers had determined that while Apple didn't have an App Store monopoly, it must permit developers to direct users to alternative payment methods. Despite this, Epic Games reported that Apple was charging a 27% commission on non-App Store transactions. This led to tensions as Apple also prompted warnings about external payments' security, supposedly to deter users from alternative transaction routes.

Epic Games has aggressively pursued fair treatment in the digital marketplace, reflecting broader trends where developers seek equity in monetary gains from their creations. CEO Tim Sweeney pronounced that Epic Games aims to reintroduce Fortnite to US iOS markets imminently, offering Apple a potential settlement to expand the ruling's framework on a global scale, consequently dropping all related litigations.

Apple, while planning to appeal, indicated compliance with the current court directives. An internal document suggested divergent opinions within Apple's leadership, with Phil Schiller reportedly advocating for the cessation of external fee collections, countered by Luca Maestri and Tim Cook's preference for financial retention. This internal conflict underscores the challenges tech giants face in maintaining revenue while facing regulatory and public scrutiny.

The implications of this ruling resonate across the tech industry, pointing to a potential reevaluation of App Store policies by other companies. It establishes a precedent for developers' rights and the limitations of centralized digital marketplaces. This case continues to reshape the landscape of mobile transaction regulations, emphasizing transparency, developer autonomy, and consumer choice.

Sources: Engadget, The New York Times, X, The New York Times

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