Apple Challenges Court Ruling Over App Store Compliance in Epic Games Case

Apple has asked a US appeals court to halt a recent ruling by District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who found the tech giant in contempt for violating a 2021 injunction related to its App Store practices. The case stems from a legal battle initiated by Fortnite developer Epic Games, which accused Apple of maintaining a monopoly by restricting alternative payment options and charging high commission fees. While monopoly claims were dismissed, the judge ordered Apple to allow external payment methods. Last week, she concluded that Apple had deliberately failed to comply, citing internal documents and decisions by senior executives, including CEO Tim Cook. Apple’s lawyers argue that the ruling infringes on the company’s control over its business and intellectual property, and claim that new restrictions would cost Apple significant revenue. The company insists it is complying with the court order while appealing. Apple also contests the legality of the original injunction. The controversy highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny of major tech firms’ control over digital marketplaces and how enforcement of antitrust rulings can shape industry practices. Apple continues to push back against what it sees as punitive and unlawful constraints on its business model.