Apple must allow iOS app payments outside the App Store, according to a decision in the case brought by Epic Games against Apple in California. While the judge found Apple was engaged in unfair competition by limiting payments to its own system, she rejected Epic's claim that Apple is a monopolist. The Fortnite maker said it plans to appeal the ruling, AP reports.
Epic filed the lawsuit a year ago after its game was ejected for the App Store for violating Apple's terms and conditions. Apple blocked the app after Epic started offering direct billing to avoid the App Store's 30 percent commission. Google followed and removed Fortnite from its store for similar reasons.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in San Francisco issued an injunction requiring Apple to allow links in apps to alternative payment systems. According to The Verge, the injunction should take effect within 90 days, unless stayed by a higher court.
The decision is in line with a recent regulatory settlement struck by Apple in Japan, when it said media apps worldwide would be allowed to link to other payment channels. The US court ruling means in-app payments, such as game features, should also be possible outside the App Store. Recent legislation in Korea orders similar changes in how the App Store manages distribution.
However, the judge rejected Epic's claim that Apple is operating a monopoly with its iOS app store. Epic wanted the court to order Apple to allow iOS apps to be distributed through other platforms.
Furthermore, Epic was found to have breached its contract with Apple when the games company added a non-Apple payment system to its app, AP reports. The judge ordered Epic to pay Apple commission worth nearly USD 3.7 million on the back revenue.
Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said the ruling "isn't a win for developers or for consumers". The company is appealing the entire judgement.
Apple was more positive, saying the court "affirmed what we've known all along: the App Store is not in violation of antitrust law".
