Apple appeals against App Store payment change ruling

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Apple is in a legal battle over how it runs its App Store, and it’s getting more complicated. 

The case started years ago when the video game company Epic Games sued Apple, claiming the company was acting unfairly by not letting developers promote other ways for users to pay for things outside of Apple’s own system.

Although Apple mostly won the case, the judge ruled in 2021 that Apple must let developers show users alternative payment options. 

Apple claimed it followed that order, but Epic argued Apple’s changes were designed to avoid the true spirit of the ruling. 

The judge agreed with Epic, saying Apple added new rules that made it just as hard for developers to guide users elsewhere. 

She also said Apple had clearly misjudged how far it could go in avoiding the original order.

On May 1, the judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ordered Apple to immediately fix its App Store rules, with no delays allowed. 

This included removing restrictions that stopped developers from telling users about other payment methods. 

As a result, companies like Spotify quickly updated the app to let users pay them directly, bypassing Apple’s system.

At the same time, the judge did allow Apple to appeal her ruling, and Apple has now formally started that process. 

They filed a short legal document to notify the court they’re appealing, but there’s no timeline yet for how or when that will move forward. 

The appeal focuses only on the App Store issues, specifically, whether Apple’s practices are anti-competitive. 

It’s separate from a possible criminal contempt case that the judge might still pursue against Apple for not following earlier court orders properly.

For now, Apple has had to obey the judge’s decision while it fights to undo parts of it through the appeal process. (Via: The Verge)

The legal back-and-forth shows that the conflict between Apple and app developers over fairness and control is far from over.

Do you think Apple should fight this ruling? Or is it better off following the decision and opening up App Store’s third-party payment guidelines? We want to hear from you below in the comments, or via our Twitter or Facebook.