Apple announced on Monday its plan to petition the US Supreme Court to review a judge’s order in the antitrust lawsuit brought against them by Epic Games, the creator of Fortnite. The order, issued by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in 2021, could potentially force Apple to alter its payment practices within the App Store. Apple’s appeal follows the recent ruling by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals, which upheld most of Judge Gonzalez Rogers’ order. The order stated that Apple cannot prevent developers from including links and buttons to alternative payment options within their apps, potentially reducing the sales commissions Apple receives.
Epic Games initially sued Apple in 2020, aiming to challenge the fees imposed by Apple on in-app payments. While Epic did not seek monetary damages, they pursued an injunction to halt Apple’s practices. The majority of Epic’s claims were dismissed by Judge Gonzalez Rogers, but she did issue the order that Apple is now contesting. Both Apple and Epic appealed to the 9th Circuit, with Epic challenging the parts of the judge’s ruling favoring Apple, and Apple challenging the order related to the App Store. In April, the 9th Circuit largely upheld the judge’s decision and on Friday, rejected petitions from Apple and Epic to reconsider it.
Epic Games also has the option to request that the Supreme Court reviews their appeal. In their appeal to the 9th Circuit, Epic sought to revive their antitrust claims against Apple regarding its restrictive app distribution and payment services.
Apple’s attorneys argue in their filing that the 9th Circuit’s nationwide injunction against Apple, alleging a violation of California state unfair competition law, exceeded the court’s jurisdiction. Apple’s petition to the Supreme Court seeks to address “far-reaching and important” questions about the authority of judges to issue broad injunctions.
In a separate announcement, Apple unveiled its first mixed reality headset, the Apple Vision Pro, during its annual developer conference. The company also showcased new Mac models and upcoming software updates. For more information on these announcements, you can listen to the Orbital podcast by Gadgets 360. The podcast is available on multiple platforms, including Spotify, Gaana, JioSaavn, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
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Eugen Boglaru is an AI aficionado covering the fascinating and rapidly advancing field of Artificial Intelligence. From machine learning breakthroughs to ethical considerations, Eugen provides readers with a deep dive into the world of AI, demystifying complex concepts and exploring the transformative impact of intelligent technologies.
