Apple Refutes Allegations of Disregarding Court Order on Alternative Payment Methods

Apple has contested Epic Games' allegations that it is breaching a court order stemming from their 2021 antitrust trial, and has urged a federal judge to deny Epic's request to hold Apple in contempt of court. In a recent filing to Judge Yvonne Gonzales Rogers, Apple emphasized its commitment to adhering to the court's orders and detailed the modifications it has implemented since both companies' appeals against the 2021 ruling were dismissed in January. Epic had requested that Apple be held in contempt, arguing that the recently introduced alternative payment links on iOS are impractical and useless. The 2021 trial resulted in Epic winning one count, which stipulated that Apple should not prohibit links to direct and alternative payment systems. Although Apple has enabled these links, developers must first obtain an 'entitlement' and are restricted to displaying them once within the app and once on the App Store page, with Apple claiming 27% of revenue from purchases made through these links. Apple noted that the majority of developers will not incur any commission, and for those who do, the rate will be 12% for digital purchases made through external links. Apple argued that Epic's motion seeks to have the court interfere with its business operations to Epic's financial benefit, which would compromise the safety and security of the iOS ecosystem. Apple also claimed that Epic's motion is an attempt to access the iOS platform without paying for it, as Epic has not proposed an alternative fee for using Apple's tools and technologies.