Apple can’t force developers to use its in-app purchasing system
A federal judge in the Epic Games Inc. case issued a ruling that said Apple can no longer force developers to use its payment system.
Apple violated California’s unfair-competition law by forbidding developers from leading customers to other payment services. Apple must now allow developers to add links in their apps to other payment methods within 90 days.
According to an Apple representative, Apple has the legal option to seek to block the order before the 90-day period ends. It wasn’t all bad for Apple since the court did not find that the company is an antitrust monopolist in the submarket for mobile gaming transactions. The court however still finds that Apple’s actions in imposing anti-steering restrictions is anti-competitive.
Katherine Adams, Apple’s senior vice president, said in a conference call with reporters that Apple’s App Store business has been validated and that the company is confirmed not to be a monopolist under federal or state law.
Jessica Melugin, director of the Competitive Enterprise Institute’s Center on Technology and Innovation, said that the company will mostly continue to operate the App Store by their rules — Apple cannot be forced to allow external payment systems from developers.
Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more.
