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In September, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers finally announced her decision in the Apple v. Epic Games case. She ruled that Apple can no longer prohibit developers from redirecting users to third-party payment systems. Now Apple has filed an appeal, which could delay these changes to the App Store for years.
The Cupertino-based company filed an appeal in the Epic Games case on Friday, asking for a stay of the preliminary injunction that allows developers to integrate other in-app payment systems in addition to Apple's. If Apple's request is successful, the change to the payment system in the App Store could not take effect until the case is concluded - which loud CNBC could take years.
App Store changes should not only affect “reader” apps
The appeal will be heard before a judge in November, while the injunction ordering Apple to lift all restrictions on developers related to the in-app purchasing system was set to take effect on December 9, 2021. Apple announced last month that developers will be able to redirect users to sign up for services outside of the App Store, but this change only applies to apps that offer subscription content for digital magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music and video. In the interim injunction Judge Rogers' order states that this change must apply to all apps, not just those considered "readers." Rogers' order states:
Apple Inc. and its officers, agents, servants, employees, and all persons actively working with or involved with them (“Apple”) are hereby permanently enjoined from prohibiting developers from (i) incorporating into their apps and their metadata any buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchase mechanisms in addition to in-app purchases, and (ii) communicating with customers through touchpoints voluntarily obtained through account registration within the app.
Currently, developers have to pay Apple a commission of 15-30 percent for each sale through the App Store system. Epic Games sued Apple after attempting to circumvent the App Store's in-app purchasing system, which resulted in the popular game Fortnite being banned from Apple's platforms. Despite the permanent injunction, Judge Rogers also ruled that Apple will not be forced to allow Epic Games to bring Fortnite back to the App Store. (Photo by Unsplash / Thom Bradley)
