In a significant legal development, a US District Court judge has ruled that Apple blatantly disregarded an injunction meant to foster competition in the App Store, calling for a criminal contempt investigation against the tech giant. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers announced her decision following a case brought by Epic Games, the creator of the wildly popular Fortnite game. The judge accused Apple of continuing anticompetitive practices and noted that key Apple executives misrepresented facts under oath. Apple has expressed strong disagreement with the ruling and plans to appeal.
Apple Faces Criminal Contempt Inquiry After Judge's Ruling
Apple Faces Criminal Contempt Inquiry After Judge's Ruling
A US District Judge has determined that Apple violated court orders regarding the App Store, leading to a potential criminal investigation.
Apple violated injunction against anticompetitive practices as determined by a US judge; Epic Games set to return Fortnite to the App Store following the ruling.
In a striking legal judgment, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has found that Apple willfully violated an injunction aimed at preventing anticompetitive conduct in its App Store. This ruling follows a lawsuit by Epic Games, which argued that Apple had monopolistic control over app payments, taking up to a 30% commission on purchases. The judge referred the case to the US Attorney for the Northern District of California for a potential criminal contempt investigation, stating that Apple’s actions "will not be tolerated."
The judge’s contempt order cited internal documents that demonstrated Apple’s awareness of its violations, stating, "Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option." CEO Tim Cook allegedly ignored advice from top executives regarding compliance with the court order, with particular mention of vice president of finance Alex Roman, who was accused of lying under oath during the proceedings.
In response to the judgment, Apple stated it "strongly disagrees" with the decision and intends to appeal. Meanwhile, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite would return to the iOS App Store next week, provided that Apple extends its court-sanctioned pricing model globally. Sweeney also emphasized that Apple’s commission structure is now unlawful in the US, signaling a potential shift in how developers engage with the platform moving forward.
In a striking legal judgment, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has found that Apple willfully violated an injunction aimed at preventing anticompetitive conduct in its App Store. This ruling follows a lawsuit by Epic Games, which argued that Apple had monopolistic control over app payments, taking up to a 30% commission on purchases. The judge referred the case to the US Attorney for the Northern District of California for a potential criminal contempt investigation, stating that Apple’s actions "will not be tolerated."
The judge’s contempt order cited internal documents that demonstrated Apple’s awareness of its violations, stating, "Apple knew exactly what it was doing and at every turn chose the most anticompetitive option." CEO Tim Cook allegedly ignored advice from top executives regarding compliance with the court order, with particular mention of vice president of finance Alex Roman, who was accused of lying under oath during the proceedings.
In response to the judgment, Apple stated it "strongly disagrees" with the decision and intends to appeal. Meanwhile, Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney announced that Fortnite would return to the iOS App Store next week, provided that Apple extends its court-sanctioned pricing model globally. Sweeney also emphasized that Apple’s commission structure is now unlawful in the US, signaling a potential shift in how developers engage with the platform moving forward.
