In the latest twist of the ongoing Epic vs Apple saga, a significant ruling may force Apple to abandon its controversial 30% commission on payments made outside the App Store. This development marks a pivotal moment in the legal battle that began when Epic Games, led by CEO Tim Sweeney, introduced direct in-app purchases for Fortnite, offering players substantial discounts.
The ruling's implications are profound. Apple is now required to comply with several key changes: they cannot impose fees on purchases made outside their app ecosystem, restrict how developers format or place links to external payment options, limit 'calls to action' that inform users of potential savings, exclude specific apps or developers, or use 'scare screens' to dissuade users from exploring third-party payment methods. Instead, Apple must adopt 'neutral messaging' when informing users about leaving the App Store for external sites.
While Apple had already made concessions in the EU, the US had previously leaned more in their favor. However, this ruling decisively shifts the balance, marking a significant victory for Epic Games despite their losses in earlier stages of the battle. Apple has indicated plans to appeal, but overturning such a ruling appears challenging.
The impact of this decision could extend beyond the immediate parties involved. With the Epic Games Store now established on Android and iOS in the EU, and on Android in the US, the dominance of the iOS App Store may wane as alternative payment options become more accessible to consumers.
