### Apple Faces Legal Setback as Court Upholds App Store Fee Ruling Apple Inc. has encountered a significant legal challenge as a U.S. appeals court has denied its request to delay a ruling that prohibits the company from charging fees on external app payments. This decision follows a previous ruling from the Northern District Court of California, which found Apple in willful violation of an injunction from 2021, compelling the tech giant to allow app developers to bypass its in-app payment system. The implications of this ruling could reshape the financial landscape of app development and distribution on Apple's platforms, potentially allowing developers to avoid Apple's hefty commission fees of 15-30% on in-app purchases [https://coincentral.com/u-s-court-blocks-apples-bid-to-delay-app-store-fee-ruling][https://www.thetechoutlook.com/current-affairs/business/us-court-denies-apples-emergency-motion-on-app-store-payment-fee]. ### Breakdown of the Legal Developments 1. **Court Rulings**: - The Northern District Court of California issued a ruling in April 2025, directing Apple to cease enforcing additional fees on purchases made outside of its apps [https://www.thetechoutlook.com/current-affairs/business/us-court-denies-apples-emergency-motion-on-app-store-payment-fee]. - An appeals court upheld this ruling, denying Apple's request to pause the order [https://www.startribune.com/apples-loses-bid-to-halt-court-ruling-that-blocks-some-fees-from-its-iphone-app-store/601367862]. 2. **Impact on Apple's Business Model**: - The ruling is expected to significantly impact Apple's revenue model, which relies heavily on commissions from in-app purchases [https://www.rttnews.com/3544791/court-rejects-apple-s-bid-to-halt-app-store-ruling-jeopardizing-billions-in-revenue.aspx]. - Developers will now have the option to direct users to external payment methods, potentially reducing Apple's income from app transactions [https://www.moneycontrol.com/technology/apple-dealt-a-major-blow-in-the-epic-games-case-all-the-details-article-13097156.html]. 3. **Ongoing Legal Battles**: - This ruling is part of a broader legal conflict stemming from Apple's long-standing dispute with Epic Games, which has challenged the company's payment policies [https://www.gamesindustry.biz/us-court-denies-emergency-motion-issued-by-apple-in-legal-case-against-epic-games]. - Apple has expressed its intention to continue fighting the ruling, indicating that this legal battle is far from over [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/apple-loses-bid-to-delay-app-store-changes-in-epic-case/story]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Court Decisions**: - The appeals court's decision was made by a three-judge panel, which issued a two-page ruling rejecting Apple's request [https://www.startribune.com/apples-loses-bid-to-halt-court-ruling-that-blocks-some-fees-from-its-iphone-app-store/601367862]. - **Financial Implications**: - Analysts suggest that the ruling could jeopardize billions in revenue for Apple, as it may lead to a significant reduction in the fees collected from app developers [https://www.rttnews.com/3544791/court-rejects-apple-s-bid-to-halt-app-store-ruling-jeopardizing-billions-in-revenue.aspx]. ### Conclusion: A Pivotal Moment for Apple's App Store Policies In summary, **Apple's recent legal defeat marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over its App Store policies**. The court's decision to uphold the ruling against Apple's fee structure could lead to significant changes in how app developers operate within the iOS ecosystem. 1. **Legal Rulings**: The appeals court has confirmed that Apple must comply with the order to allow external payment methods. 2. **Business Model Impact**: This ruling threatens Apple's revenue from app transactions, potentially allowing developers to bypass its payment system. 3. **Future Legal Actions**: Apple plans to continue its legal fight, indicating that the outcome of this case could have lasting implications for the tech industry. As the situation develops, the tech community will be closely monitoring how these changes affect app development and consumer choices in the digital marketplace [https://www.neowin.net/news/court-orders-apple-to-keep-web-links-in-the-app-store-eroding-its-ios-payment-monopoly].