Apple fights court ruling over App Store payments in clash with Epic

Apple has asked a U.S. appeals court to delay a recent ruling that could have major implications for how it operates its App Store. The request follows a finding by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who ruled last week that the tech giant had deliberately disobeyed a previous court order requiring it to ease restrictions on external payment options for app developers.

The original 2021 ruling stemmed from a lawsuit by Fortnite creator Epic Games, which accused Apple of stifling competition by preventing developers from directing users to cheaper payment alternatives. While the judge didn’t agree that Apple held a monopoly, she did find that the company violated California’s competition laws.

Despite the ruling, Epic later alleged Apple had sidestepped compliance by introducing new fees that still discouraged developers from using third-party payment methods. Judge Gonzalez Rogers agreed, stating in her latest order that Apple knowingly defied the court’s instructions, even citing internal memos where company leaders chose to preserve the App Store’s dominance.

Apple responded by calling the ruling “extraordinary” and claimed the order improperly forces it to give up control over vital parts of its business, including its intellectual property. The company now wants an appeals court to lift restrictions that prevent it from collecting commissions on purchases made outside its ecosystem—arguing these limits could cost it significant revenue.

Epic, however, welcomed the court’s stance, saying it’s already creating better outcomes for users. The company claims developers are offering improved pricing and payment options thanks to the ruling.

The legal fight traces back to Apple’s 2020 decision to ban Fortnite from the App Store after Epic introduced a direct payment method in the game. That move ignited a legal showdown over control, competition, and digital storefront practices.

In her latest rebuke, Judge Gonzalez Rogers highlighted that Apple CEO Tim Cook ignored calls from senior executives urging compliance, opting instead to support a more aggressive approach. She concluded Apple deliberately chose the most anti-competitive paths and referred the case to federal prosecutors to consider whether criminal contempt charges should be brought.

Apple has stated it will follow the court’s latest directive while it pursues an appeal.