Apple Faces Criminal Contempt Investigation for Violating Court Injunction in Epic Games Case

A US district judge has referred Apple for possible criminal contempt proceedings after finding the company violated an injunction in its legal battle with Epic Games. The injunction was intended to stop Apple from anticompetitive practices, including blocking third-party payment options on its App Store. The judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ruled that Apple continued to hinder competition despite the court’s decision. Internal documents showed Apple was aware of its actions and chose to ignore the injunction, with CEO Tim Cook allegedly influenced by CFO Luca Maestri to avoid compliance. Additionally, a key Apple executive was accused of lying under oath. The controversy stems from Epic Games’ 2021 case, which challenged Apple’s 30% commission on purchases and argued that the App Store was monopolistic. In response, Epic Games announced plans to bring Fortnite back to the App Store, offering a peace proposal that would drop further litigation if Apple agreed to extend the court’s framework worldwide. This case highlights the ongoing tension over Apple’s control of the App Store and its financial policies that many see as stifling competition.