Apple has asked a federal appeals court to pause a judge’s ruling that threatens the company’s lucrative App Store model. The iPhone maker submitted its request on Wednesday after US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple deliberately violated her earlier injunction.
That 2021 orders customers to use external payment systems beyond the App Store. Epic Games originally filed the antitrust lawsuit in 2020, accusing Apple of maintaining an illegal monopoly through its 15-30% commission fees. Judge Gonzalez Rogers rejected monopoly claims but agreed Apple unfairly blocked developers from offering cheaper outside payment options.
She ordered Apple to change its rules, but last week, she determined that Apple had continued anti-competitive practices instead of complying. Apple’s legal team argued that the judge’s latest decision imposes an unfair operation restriction, jeopardising its intellectual property rights.
Apple’s lawyer stated, “A federal court cannot force Apple to permanently give away free access to its products.” They claimed the order unlawfully prevents Apple from controlling core aspects of its business model.
According to her ruling, internal documents reviewed by the judge showed Apple executives knowingly chose actions that violated the 2021 injunction. She pointed out that CEO Tim Cook ignored advice from senior leaders to comply and instead followed another executive’s suggestion not to make changes.
Apple warned that the order would cost the company substantial sums annually and harm its financial standing if left in place. The company emphasises that it never violated federal law and said the ruling seeks to punish Apple unfairly.
Apple maintained that it would comply while appealing but argued that the restrictions were beyond what state law allowed. Epic Games praised the ruling, saying it already encouraged developers to offer better deals and more payment choices for consumers.
