Apple Accused by Epic of Defying Court Order with Payment Link Restrictions

Epic Games has filed a request with a federal judge to hold Apple in contempt, alleging that the tech giant has failed to comply with a court order related to its payment systems. The order, which followed a 2021 lawsuit, required Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods. However, Epic claims that Apple's implementation of this order has been insufficient, as it has imposed a 27% commission on proceeds from these alternative payment methods and has placed restrictions on how these links can be displayed. Epic argues that these restrictions make the links 'commercially unusable' and is seeking a court order to compel Apple to fully comply with the original ruling. Apple maintains that it has fully complied with the order and that its regulations are necessary to protect users and maintain the integrity of its ecosystem. The dispute is the latest development in the long-running feud between Epic and Apple, which began in 2020 when Epic introduced direct payment links to its game Fortnite, prompting Apple to remove the game from the App Store.