Epic v. Apple: a US appeals court rejects Apple's request to pause key parts of a federal judge's order requiring it to open the App Store to more competition
Apple (AAPL.O) has failed to persuade a U.S. appeals court to pause key parts of a federal judge's order requiring the iPhone maker …
The dispute has increasingly centered on the anti-steering injunction: Apple had previously sought to narrow or overturn it by arguing that other rulings had changed the legal landscape.
First-order effects
Apple must continue complying with the challenged portions of the order while its appeal proceeds, rather than preserving its preferred App Store payment and linking rules during review.
App developers covered by the order gain immediate practical room to direct users to payment options outside Apple’s in-app purchase flow, without the paused restrictions Apple sought.
Second-order effects
Developers can test whether lower-friction external payment paths improve margins or let them offer different prices, putting pressure on Apple’s ability to collect commissions tied to those transactions.
The decision raises the value of payment, subscription, and customer-relationship tools that help mobile developers operate beyond a platform’s built-in checkout.
Third-order effects
If courts continue to enforce anti-steering remedies, mobile platforms may retain store distribution control while losing some control over how developers monetize users after discovery.
The case could become a durable boundary for platform governance: competition remedies may target restrictive transaction rules without requiring a fully open alternative app-store model.
The trend: App-store competition policy is shifting from abstract access rules toward enforceable limits on how platform gatekeepers control payment choices and developer-user links.
Time for a whole new monetization strategy for the App Store. Funny enough, I think Apple is in a good spot to completely upend the industry in a way that's good for Apple and devs. — Apple needs a win here, and they've got the cash and headroom to provide it. Just have to ge…
Apple's appeal of Judge Gonzalez Rogers' contempt order isn't over before it started, but it's not far from that. — Here's why on @macstories: — https://www.macstories.net/...
Apple's stay is denied by the 9th Circuit Court. The long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended. May next week's WWDC be the Apple-led celebration of freedom that developers and users have long deserved. [image]
Apple: “We are disappointed with the decision not to stay the district court's order, and we'll continue to argue our case during the appeals process. As we've said before, we strongly disagree with the district court's opinion.”
Uh, this is not good for Apple. Even Google was granted their stay in a similar ruling. Seems far less likely Supreme Court would overturn now too. Might be time to read the (court) room. Is there time for a last minute “one more thing” addendum to the WWDC pre-recorded keynote?
Time. To. Comply. Developers rejoice. In a one page decision, Apple loses its last ditch effort to stay the lower court's order in Epic v Apple. https://storage.courtlistener.com/ ... [image]
Apple's motion was denied, as I expected - the Judge *can* instantly change App Store rules. The court didn't even feel it necessary to explain. I remain unconvinced by the “takings clause”. And pray Tim is seeing the light. [image]
Apple has lost the motion to put a hold on the previous app store ruling! Apple will still be arguing their case in the appeal, but Fortnite Mobile is safe!
Again, Apple has been denied its stay pending appeal. This is on top of the 2021 liability decision which was already denied cert by SCOTUS. Full speed ahead. [image]
Consumers are already benefitting from court-ordered changes to Apple's App Store, including more options and lower prices. Apple didn't like that, but the Ninth Circuit said tough luck.
@mddd1zz3 @FNMNews Apple is still blocking competing stores and payments in Canada, and there isn't any legislation or regulatory enforcement we're aware of to make Apple compete fairly.
Ball is now in Apple's court. With uncertainty around the injunction removed, IAP more directly competes with web payments. By the time the appeals process plays out, it's going to be much harder to put the genie back in the bottle. Apple needs to adjust to this new reality.
Apple has failed to persuade a US appeals court to pause key parts of a federal judge's order requiring the iPhone maker to immediately open its lucrative App Store to more competition https://www.reuters.com/... [image]
Whoa!! I was wrong! Apple's motion stay the latest injunction has been denied! Open season on web links for months, maybe years as the appeals process drags out. [image]