The resolution has been clear: Apple has won its appeal in Epic Games’ appeal on App Store policiesbut more resources are expected.
The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. upheld a 2021 lower court decision that rejected Epic’s claims that the App Store’s policies violated federal law. Specifically, he was referring to Apple’s decision to ban third-party app stores from its platforms.
Today’s decision reaffirms Apple’s resounding victory in this case, in which nine of the ten lawsuits have been resolved in its favor. For the second time in two years, a federal court has ruled that Apple complies with state and federal antitrust laws.
The App Store continues to foster competition, drive innovation, and expand opportunity, and we’re proud of its profound contribution to both users and developers around the world.
We respectfully disagree with the court’s ruling on the only remaining claim under state law and are considering further review.
Although Apple won the appeal, those of Cupertino have continued to work to alleviate some concerns of developers about how the App Store operates. For example, in 2020 it launched the App Store Small Business Program, which allows developers making less than $1 million a year to pay just 15% of sales to Apple.
Epic’s problems with Apple
As you already know, all this comes from behind, where Epic Games sued Apple in 2020 after it blocked the game maker from bypassing the App Store payment system. in which Apple charges a 30% fee to developers. Apple has stated that, to safeguard consumers from scammers, hackers, malware and spyware, andIt is necessary to rigorously control the programs that are executed on their widely used phones.
US District Judge Yvonne González Rogers rejected Epic’s claims that the App Store operates like a monopoly in violation of federal antitrust law, concluding that Apple’s practices prevent consumers from receiving lower prices in September 2021.
Rogers granted Epic’s request for injunctive relief after a three-week trial in Oakland, California, and ordered Apple to allow app developers to direct users to third-party payment methods. However, the judge did not consider that Apple had to change its pricing rules for developers of applications nor that there would be a need for other application stores.