Archive · 12 Dec 2025
Court backs Apple contempt ruling but allows fees
A court said Apple did something wrong by not letting other payment systems in its app store, but also said Apple can charge fees for those other payment systems.
Apple had been making a lot of money by making everyone use its own payment system.
A company called Epic Games sued Apple, saying it was unfair.
The court said Apple can't have total control, but it can still charge some fees.
Apple and Epic didn't say anything about the new ruling right away.
A federal appeals court upheld a contempt ruling against Apple for defying an order to open its iPhone app store to other payment systems.
The court overturned a part of the ruling that prohibited Apple from collecting commissions on external payment systems.
Apple can now charge fees on rival payment options, but the court ordered a fair commission rate to be determined.
The case originated in 2020 when Epic Games sued Apple, alleging monopoly practices in the iPhone app store.
Apple's services division, which includes app store commissions, generates over $100 billion in annual revenue.
- Who
- Apple and Epic Games
- What
- Appeals court ruling on Apple's contempt and app fees
- When
- April 2024 (original ruling), January 2024 (Supreme Court rebuff), 2020 (case origin)
- Where
- United States, specifically California
- Why
- To address Apple's control over iPhone app payments and Epic's allegations of monopoly
- Court
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
- Original Ruling Date
- April 2024
- Original Judge
- Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers
- Case Origin
- Epic Games vs. Apple (2020)
- Apple's Commission Range
- 12% to 27%
- Apple's Services Revenue
- Over $100 billion annually
