Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL) is being pinched by the US courts in its battle with Fortnite parent Epic Games, with a Federal Judge denying an appeal which would’ve allowed it to delay forced changes to its app store.
The iPhone maker was previously ordered to allow third-party developers, like Epic, to include links to alternative payment solutions and, as a result of the failed appeal, that change will have to take place in December.
Apple had reportedly sought to delay the changes for up to five years and had argued that it would need time to make new software and policies to enable the change.
It follows a complicated court judgement in an anti-trust trial which in September found in favour of nine out of ten counts, but, left both Apple and Epic pursuing appeals.
EPIC has sought to handle its own payments, for in-game transactions, and indeed does so on other gaming platforms alongside its own online store.
In the market, Apple stock was largely unmoved changing hands at US$150.65 in Tuesday’s after hours deals.