Apple wins antitrust court battle with Epic Games, appeals court rules (techcrunch.com)

Article summary

The US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled in favor of Apple in its antitrust case with Epic Games, allowing the company to continue charging a 30% fee on in-app transactions. However, the court also upheld a ruling that Apple cannot prohibit developers from directing users to alternative payment methods outside of the App Store. The decision is seen as a major setback for Epic Games and other developers who had hoped to challenge Apple's App Store policies. Apple has stated that it will consider further review of the ruling related to California's Unfair Competition Law.

Main themes

• Apple vs Epic Games
• Antitrust law
• App Store policies
• Alternative payment methods
• Sideloading
• EU law and regulation
• Developer rights and freedoms
• User security and protection

What commenters say

• Apple's 30% commission is a legitimate charge for the use of its operating system and services.
• The ability to direct users to alternative payment methods outside of the App Store is a significant concession to developers.
• Allowing sideloading of apps does not necessarily mean that developers can avoid paying Apple's commission.
• The EU law intends to promote competition and reduce Apple's control over the App Store, but its implementation is unclear.
• Apple's restrictions on app distribution and payment methods are necessary to protect users from malware and other security threats.
• Developers should be able to choose their own payment methods and distribution channels without being forced to pay Apple's commission.
• The ruling is a victory for Apple, but it may not be the final word in the ongoing debate over App Store policies and antitrust law.