Apple has filed an appeal against a recent contempt ruling in its ongoing legal battle with Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite. The case, which began in 2020, centers on Epic’s challenge to Apple’s control over transactions and app distribution on iOS devices. Epic argued that Apple’s up-to-30% commission on in-app purchases and restrictions on alternative payment methods amounted to monopolistic practices. In 2021, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued an injunction requiring Apple to allow developers to direct users to third-party payment options, aiming to foster greater competition and reduce Apple’s dominance over app transactions.

Despite the injunction, Apple introduced a new 27% fee on purchases made via external links and implemented “scare screens” that discouraged users from choosing alternative payment methods. Judge Gonzalez Rogers found these actions to be in direct violation of her order, stating that Apple’s efforts were designed to circumvent the court’s intent. The judge also criticized Apple’s conduct during the proceedings, highlighting that Alex Roman, Apple’s Vice President of Finance, lied under oath and that the company misused attorney-client privilege to delay the case.

The contempt ruling not only ordered Apple to halt these practices but also referred the company and its executive to federal prosecutors for possible criminal contempt charges. Judge Gonzalez Rogers emphasized that Apple’s ongoing efforts to obstruct competition would not be tolerated, and sanctioned the company for the full cost of Epic’s attorney’s fees. She also refused to stay her order, accusing Apple of purposefully misleading the court to maintain its lucrative revenue streams from the App Store.

In response, Apple has appealed to the Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals, maintaining that it has complied with the injunction by updating its App Store guidelines. However, Epic Games and other developers argue that the new 27% fee and continued restrictions make external payment links commercially unusable, undermining the spirit of the court’s directive. Apple’s appeal seeks to overturn the contempt ruling and defend its current App Store policies, while the outcome could have significant implications for the company’s business model and the broader app ecosystem.