The U.S. Appeals Court has rejected Apple’s request to reconsider the case concerning App Store commissions. This marks another significant defeat for the tech giant in its long-standing legal battle with Fortnite creators, Epic Games.
The judicial panel reached a unanimous decision, effectively eliminating Apple’s chance to swiftly overturn the unfavorable December ruling regarding its App Store policies.
This outcome represents a considerable blow to Apple. The upheld injunction definitively prohibits the company from blocking external links. Consequently, every developer now has the full right to inform their customers about cheaper alternative payment methods outside of Apple’s ecosystem, reducing reliance on the App Store’s payment processing.
Nevertheless, the dispute over the precise size of the commission continues. While Apple can still charge a fee for external transactions facilitated through information provided within the app, the specific percentage remains a major point of contention. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has vehemently expressed his opposition to any fixed rates imposed by Apple.
Thus, the recent U.S. court decision effectively solidifies the current market status quo. While this high-stakes confrontation between Apple and developers appears unending, independent app creators can breathe a sigh of relief, having gained crucial independence from some of Apple’s previously restrictive platform policies.