A judge just blew up Apple’s control of the App Store
- A US judge has ruled that Apple can no longer collect fees on purchases made outside of apps.
- The ruling also blocks Apple from restricting how developers can point users to where they can make purchases outside of apps.
- Apple is prohibited from imposing any commission or fee on purchases made outside an app, effective immediately.
- The judge has also restricted Apple’s ability to block or limit the use of buttons or other calls to action for purchases outside of apps.
Epic Games v. Apple judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers just ruled that, effective immediately, Apple is no longer allowed to collect fees on purchases made outside apps and blocks the company from restricting how developers can point users to where they can make purchases outside of apps.
The ruling was issued as part of Epic Games’ ongoing legal dispute against Apple, and it’s a major victory for Epic’s arguments. The judge also referred the case to the US attorney to review it for possible criminal contempt proceedings.
As part of the ruling, Judge Rogers says that Apple cannot:
- Impose “any commission or any fee on purchases that consumers make outside an app”
- Restrict developers’ style, formatting, or placement of links for purchases outside of an app
- Block or limit the “use of buttons or other calls to action”
- Interfere with consumers’ choice to leave an app with anything beyond “a neutral message apprising users that they are going to a third-party site”
Developing…
Q. What is the outcome of the Epic Games v. Apple case?
A. A judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ruled that Apple can no longer collect fees on purchases made outside apps and blocks the company from restricting how developers point users to where they can make purchases.
Q. Why was this ruling issued?
A. The ruling was part of Epic Games’ ongoing legal dispute against Apple and is a major victory for Epic’s arguments.
Q. What specific actions can Apple no longer take, according to the judge’s ruling?
A. Apple cannot impose any commission or fee on purchases made outside an app, restrict developers’ style, formatting, or placement of links for purchases outside of an app, block or limit the use of buttons or other calls to action, and interfere with consumers’ choice.
Q. What is the significance of the judge referring the case to the US attorney?
A. The judge referred the case to the US attorney to review it for possible criminal contempt proceedings, indicating that Apple may face further consequences for its actions.
Q. How does this ruling affect developers?
A. The ruling allows developers more freedom to point users to where they can make purchases outside of apps without restrictions from Apple.
Q. What is a neutral message apprising users that they are going to a third-party site?
A. A neutral message apprising users that they are going to a third-party site refers to the requirement that Apple only provide a brief, neutral message when users leave an app and are taken to a third-party website.
Q. Why was this ruling significant for Epic Games?
A. The ruling is a major victory for Epic’s arguments in its ongoing legal dispute against Apple.
Q. What does this ruling mean for consumers?
A. The ruling gives consumers more freedom to make purchases outside of apps without restrictions from Apple, allowing them to choose where they want to shop.
Q. How will this ruling impact the App Store?
A. The ruling effectively reduces Apple’s control over the App Store by limiting its ability to collect fees on purchases made outside apps and restrict developers’ choices.