Apple Asks Judge to Pause Epic Games Antitrust Orders as It Appeals Ruling

Smartphone with Epic Games logo is seen successful beforehand of Apple logo successful this illustration taken, connected May 2, 2021. (Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters)

Apple Inc. connected Friday asked a U.S. national justice to enactment connected clasp orders that could necessitate it to alteration immoderate of its App Store practices and said that it is besides appealing the ruling successful an antitrust lawsuit brought by “Fortnite” creator Epic Games, according to tribunal filings.

U.S. territory Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers successful September mostly ruled successful Apple’s favour aft a weeks-long trial. But she did necessitate 1 cardinal concession: Apple starting Dec. 9 could nary longer prohibit app developers from including buttons oregon links successful their apps that nonstop users to means of paying beside Apple’s in-app outgo system, which charges a committee to developers.

In her afloat 180-page ruling, Gonzalez Rogers expressed interest that developers were being prevented from communicating with iPhone users astir alternate prices.

Apple said successful Friday’s filing that complying with the bid could origin it and consumers harm. It said it expects to triumph an entreaty challenging the bid and that it wants the ineligible process, which could past astir a year, to play retired first.

Epic separately is appealing the judge’s uncovering that Apple has not violated antitrust instrumentality done its outgo rules.

“The requested enactment volition let Apple to support consumers and safeguard its level portion the institution works done the analyzable and rapidly evolving legal, technological, economical issues,” Friday’s filing said.

Apple successful caller months agreed to loosen different rules astir communications betwixt developers and users arsenic portion of settlements with developers suing the institution and Japan’s antitrust regulator.

The institution said it has already begun discussing solutions that some fulfill Gonzalez Rogers’ petition for consumers to beryllium much informed and its desires to support them protected from scams and proceed collecting commissions.

Apple is seeking a proceeding with Gonzalez Rogers successful aboriginal November connected its enactment request. Epic’s opening arguments for its entreaty are owed Dec. 12.

Apple has said it would support “Fortnite” disconnected the App Store until each appeals are exhausted.

By Stephen Nellis and Paresh Dave