- Apple may face elimination of commission fees for external payments - The ruling also prohibits intimidation screens and restrictions on third-party payment links - This marks a pivotal development in the long-running Epic versus Apple legal battle
Another day, another chapter in the seemingly endless Epic v Apple legal saga we assumed had concluded. The latest twist could compel Apple to abandon its contentious 30% commission on external payment systems that bypass the App Store.
For consumers, this represents a decisive victory for Epic in the original lawsuit. The conflict began when Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney introduced direct in-app purchases for Fortnite – offering players substantial discounts – circumventing Apple's payment system.
While Apple previously removed payment restrictions for EU developers, U.S. regulations had remained more favorable toward the tech giant.
Payment Freedom
The new ruling explicitly prohibits Apple from:
- Charging commissions on external purchases
- Restricting link placement or formatting
- Limiting promotional messaging about savings
- Selectively enforcing rules against specific apps
- Using misleading warning screens
- The company must now employ neutral language when directing users to external sites
Though Epic lost initial skirmishes, this decision represents a potential war victory. Apple intends to appeal (predictably), but judicial momentum appears firmly against them.
With Epic Games Store expanding on Android and EU iOS devices – and available for U.S. Android users – the App Store's dominance may soon diminish. The marketplace landscape could shift dramatically as developers gain more financial autonomy from Apple's ecosystem.
