Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL, ETR:APC) has suffered a setback in its long-running antitrust despite with Epic Games after a US judge rejected the iPhone maker’s emergency request to delay a federal court order requiring sweeping changes to its App Store operations.
The ruling upholds an earlier decision by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who found Apple in contempt of court for violating a 2021 injunction that required the company to allow app developers to direct users to alternative payment methods outside of the App Store.
The appeals court’s decision means Apple must comply with the court-mandated changes immediately. This includes prohibiting Apple from charging commissions on purchases made through external payment links, allowing developers to include in-app links to outside payment options, and barring Apple from dictating the design, placement, or wording of those links.
The case dates back to Epic Games’ 2020 lawsuit accusing Apple of maintaining an unlawful monopoly over mobile app distribution on iOS by forcing developers to use Apple’s in-app payment system, which is subject to commissions of up to 30%.
“We are disappointed with the decision not to stay the district court’s order, and we’ll continue to argue our case during the appeals process,” an Apple spokesperson said in a statement.
“As we’ve said before, we strongly disagree with the district court’s opinion. Our goal is to ensure the App Store remains an incredible opportunity for developers and a safe and trusted experience for our users.”
Epic Games welcomed the judge’s ruling. “The long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended,” Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney said in a post on the social media platform X.
Apple’s stay is denied by the 9th Circuit Court. The long national nightmare of the Apple tax is ended.
May next week’s WWDC be the Apple-led celebration of freedom that developers and users have long deserved. pic.twitter.com/f0A3IAVKNC
— Tim Sweeney (@TimSweeneyEpic) June 4, 2025