Cupertino, CA — A federal judge has issued a stern rebuke to Apple, accusing the tech giant of willfully violating a court injunction in a high-profile antitrust case filed by Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite. U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found that Apple failed to comply with a 2021 ruling that sought to curtail the company’s anticompetitive practices in its App Store.
The injunction, originally aimed at reducing Apple’s exclusive control over in-app payment systems, required the company to allow developers to provide links to alternative payment options outside of Apple’s ecosystem. However, on Wednesday, Judge Gonzalez Rogers determined that Apple had not only ignored the ruling but had also continued to impede competition.
In her strongly-worded ruling, the judge held Apple in contempt, stating, “Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated.” She further ordered that Apple cease restricting developers’ ability to communicate with users and prevent the company from imposing any new commissions on off-app purchases.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney quickly took to social media, announcing that Fortnite would return to the U.S. App Store as early as next week. This marks a significant win for the company, which has been locked in a legal battle with Apple since 2020, accusing the company of monopolistic practices and anti-competitive behavior within its App Store.
Apple, which did not immediately respond to requests for comment, has faced growing scrutiny over its App Store policies, particularly its commission fees, which range from 15% to 30% on digital transactions within apps. Epic’s lawsuit challenged Apple’s control, which Epic argued was a violation of antitrust laws. Despite initially rejecting the monopoly claims, Judge Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple must modify its practices to allow more freedom for developers and end its exclusive control over the payment system.
The ruling marks the latest chapter in a legal saga that has drawn attention from regulators and tech companies worldwide. In January 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Apple’s appeal, affirming the lower court’s findings. Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ contempt ruling further solidifies her stance against Apple’s practices, citing internal company documents that suggest Apple executives, including CEO Tim Cook, knowingly opted for the most anticompetitive course of action.
In her ruling, the judge accused Apple of misleading the court and making false statements under oath. She pointed to testimony from Alex Roman, Apple’s Vice President for Finance, accusing him of “outright” lying. Internal emails revealed that longtime Apple executive Phillip Schiller had advised compliance with the court’s injunction, but Tim Cook allegedly disregarded this counsel, instead opting to follow advice from the company’s finance team, led by CFO Luca Maestri.
The ruling also referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California to investigate whether criminal contempt charges should be pursued against the company.
As the legal battle continues, the implications of this ruling could have far-reaching effects on the digital marketplace. Apple’s App Store has long been a central point of contention in the tech industry, and this decision paves the way for greater competition and potential regulatory scrutiny. The return of Fortnite to the App Store could signal a shift in how developers navigate the Apple ecosystem, as they may now have more freedom to direct users to alternative payment options.
With Epic Games poised to benefit from this ruling, the case remains a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate over the power and control of digital platforms.