It has been more than two years since the Apple brand embarked on an unprecedented legal battle against Epic Games. In a decision rendered on April 24, 2023, the 9th Circuit Court has just upheld the status quo in the antitrust lawsuit against Apple. The court finds that the company does not violate current law and can still exclude Fortnite from the App Store.
9th Circuit Curt rules in favor of Apple
In a decision made public on Monday, the 9th Circuit Curt rendered its final decision by pronouncing 9 out of 10 decisions in favor of Apple. At the end of this judgment, the court upholds the expulsion of Fortnite from the App Store, considering that it does not violate antitrust law. However, it invites the American firm to review its anti-piloting rules which pose some significant problems. These prevent users from finding out about the other payment options available.
Very pleased with the court’s decision, Marni Goldberg, Apple’s spokeswoman, said in an interview with The Verge: “Today’s decision reaffirms Apple’s resounding victory in this case, with 9 of the 10 statements that were decided in favor of Apple. For the second time in two years, a federal court has ruled that Apple complies with state and federal antitrust laws. »
It also announces at the same time that the firm “disagrees with the court’s decision regarding the only claim under state law”. That’s why, she says, Apple will conduct a more in-depth review to revise its policy in line with the recommendations made. Marni Goldberg further assures that the App Store will continue to promote competition, drive innovation and expand opportunity.
A judicial soap opera that has been going on for three now
The standoff between Apple and Epic Games dates back to 2020 when the American firm decided to exclude Fortnite from its App Store. At the time, a custom payment processor was added to the app allowing users to make in-app purchases. This system, deemed “fraudulent” by Apple, then allowed Epic Games to avoid the commission (about 30%) associated with the payment system integrated into Apple.
In 2021, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in a previous decision had already declared that Apple does not have a monopoly on the mobile application market. As such, she ordered Epic Games to pay compensation to Tim Cook’s company for violating the developer’s agreement. She also ordered Apple to remove its anti-steering rules that prevent developers from providing information about other forms of integrated payment systems. Dissatisfied, the two parties individually decided to appeal the court’s decision the same year.
In the conclusions of the new judgment rendered by the 9th Circuit Court, the justice finds that Epic Games has failed to establish “the existence of less restrictive alternative means for Apple to accomplish the pro-competitive justifications supporting the hermetic ecosystem of iOS . Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games nevertheless rejoiced in a tweet at the court injunction to Apple. In a tweet posted on Monday, he said, “The affirmative court ruling rejecting Apple’s anti-piloting provisions frees iOS developers to send consumers to the web to do business with them directly there. »
Source : The Verge
2023-04-25 22:38:57
#legal #victory #Apple #Epic #Games
