Continuation of Apple's legal setbacks in the ongoing conflict with Epic Games
Latest Twist in Apple-Epic Games' App Store Spat
In a consecutive setback to tech juggernaut Apple, an American appeals court recently turned down Apple's plea for a temporary halt to the reforms mandated for its App Store. This decision comes amidst the long-running antitrust battle between Apple and video game developer Epic Games.
Apple communicated its dissatisfaction with the verdict and reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the appeal against the original judgment. In response, Epic Games' CEO, Tim Sweeney, took to Twitter saying, "The nail in the coffin of Apple's 'tax' has been hammered in."
Key Recent Developments
- Denial of Partial Stay: In June 2025, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Apple's plea to suspend an order that prohibits app developers from charging fees for external iPhone app payments[1][2]. This ruling poses a significant hurdle for Apple in its continuous standoff with Epic Games.
- Court's Pressure on Fortnite Approval: As of May 2025, a federal judge has been urging Apple to approve Fortnite's submission to the App Store or face another court hearing. Thisaction follows a ruling that deemed Apple as violating a court injunction regarding anticompetitive pricing and commissions, which might pave the way for Fortnite's comeback on the platform[5].
- Alternative Payment Options: Previously, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had ordered Apple to permit developers to link to external websites for alternative payment options. Apple started enabling this by offering developers an opportunity to seek exceptions, yet continues to charge a commission ranging from 12% to 27% on these transactions[3][4].
- Epic's Triumph: Epic Games has hailed its win in its crusade against what it refers to as the "Apple tax," with CEO Tim Sweeney announcing the end of the "long national nightmare" after the denial of Apple's appeal[2].
Antitrust Case Synopsis
- Initial Lawsuit: Epic Games filed the lawsuit in August 2020, contesting Apple's prohibition on using third-party in-app payment systems.
- Trial and Judgments: The trial culminated in May 2021, with Judge Gonzalez Rogers ruling that Apple must allow developers to inform users about alternative payment options, while predominantly upholding Apple's App Store policies[3][4].
- Appeals and Supreme Court Decision: Both parties appealed the verdict, but the Supreme Court rejected their full appeals in January 2024. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals later confirmed the decision to allow external payment links[3].
- Despite Apple's ongoing appeal, the latest development in the antitrust battle between Apple and Epic Games involves the denial of a partial stay by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which maintains that app developers cannot charge fees for external iPhone app payments (as per key recent development 1).
- As technology continues to shape business and finance landscapes, the antitrust dispute between Apple and Epic Games serves as a significant case study, with Epic Games victoriously triumphing, declaring the end of the 'long national nightmare' in response to the denial of Apple's appeal, thus challenging existing App Store policies (as per key recent development 4).
