Epic Games Scores Major Victory as Court Finds Apple Violated Antitrust Order

In a landmark decision, a federal district court judge found that Apple willfully violated a 2021 antitrust injunction in the ongoing Epic Games vs. Apple lawsuit. The ruling highlights Apple's attempts to maintain its lucrative 30% commission on app transactions by imposing new fees and restrictions, despite a court order to cease such practices.

Epic Games’ CEO Tim Sweeney celebrated the ruling on social media, emphasizing that web transactions will now be free from Apple’s fees, calling it “Game over for the Apple Tax.” This development could allow Epic to return Fortnite to the iOS App Store, which has been banned largely due to this litigation.

Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers detailed Apple’s deliberate efforts to circumvent the injunction by introducing a 27% commission on off-app purchases and erecting barriers to developer communication with users. The court found these actions to be willful violations aimed at preserving Apple’s anticompetitive revenue streams.

The ruling exposed internal Apple documents revealing that senior executives knowingly chose to defy the court order. The judge referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney for potential criminal contempt proceedings, underscoring the severity of Apple’s conduct.

This decision marks a pivotal moment in the fight against platform monopolies and could encourage other developers to create alternative purchasing options outside Apple’s ecosystem without fear of retaliation. It aligns with similar regulatory actions globally, such as the European Digital Markets Act, which also targets excessive platform fees.

Epic Games has proposed a peace deal: if Apple extends this friction-free, fee-free framework worldwide, Epic will return Fortnite to all iOS App Stores and drop ongoing litigation. Apple has expressed disagreement and plans to appeal, but the court’s injunction is effective immediately, prohibiting Apple from imposing new commissions or blocking developer communications.

The broader significance of this ruling extends beyond Epic and Apple. It challenges entrenched platform fee models and promotes fair competition, potentially reshaping digital marketplaces and empowering developers and consumers alike.