Apple secured a partial win on Thursday after a U.S. appeals court reversed segments of a lower court order that had required the tech giant to overhaul its App Store practices. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that portions of the contempt order issued in April were overly broad and needed modification. However, the court upheld most of the contempt findings and maintained the original injunction that limits Apple’s control over in-app transactions.
The appeals panel softened a restriction that previously barred Apple from collecting any commission on purchases made outside its platform. The updated ruling now allows Apple to argue for a “reasonable” commission on linked-out transactions. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney welcomed the decision, saying it prevents Apple from imposing “giant junk fees” and marks a significant shift for developers and consumers after years of legal conflict.
The dispute, which began in 2020, centered on Apple’s tight control over iOS app distribution and its commission structure. Although Apple largely prevailed in the initial lawsuit, it was ordered to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods. Apple later introduced a 27% commission on external purchases made within seven days of a link click, prompting Epic to allege non-compliance. While the appeals court acknowledged Apple’s right to some commission, it rejected Apple’s claim that the injunction should be limited solely to Epic, signaling continued pressure on the company’s App Store model.
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