Apple May Be Compelled to Abandon Third-Party Payment Commissions
The tech giant now faces potential requirements to eliminate both its commission structure and warning screens while removing restrictions on developers' external payment links. This development stems from a landmark decision in the ongoing Epic v Apple legal battle.
Latest Twist in the Epic v Apple Saga
In another chapter of the protracted legal showdown, Apple may soon be required to scrap its contentious 30% fee on external payment links. This case originated when Epic Games implemented direct in-app purchases for Fortnite, bypassing Apple's payment system with discounted offerings.
A recent ruling now positions Apple as the clear loser from the original lawsuit. While the company previously relaxed EU restrictions on third-party payments, U.S. courts had generally favored Apple's position – until now.
New Restrictions for Apple
The ruling imposes sweeping limitations on Apple's payment policies. The company is now prohibited from:
- Charging fees on external purchases
- Restricting link placement or formatting
- Limiting calls-to-action regarding potential savings
- Excluding specific apps or developers
- Using misleading "scare screens" about external payments
- Displaying anything but neutral transfer messages
While Epic lost preliminary rulings, this decision marks a significant victory in its broader campaign. Apple naturally plans to appeal, but judicial opinion appears firmly established.
With the mobile Epic Games Store expanding its EU presence and growing on U.S. Android devices, the App Store's iOS dominance may face unprecedented challenges.
