Apple violates court injunction in Epic Games antitrust case

In the ongoing antitrust battle between Apple and Epic Games, a U.S. District judge ruled that Apple willfully violated a previous court injunction intended to promote competition in the App Store. The judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, indicated that Apple had continued its anticompetitive practices, which included charging a new 27% commission on purchases that previously had no fees attached. This ruling comes after a long-standing legal dispute started when Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2020, arguing that the tech giant's business practices constituted an illegal monopoly. The judge's decision also highlighted that Apple had ignored internal advice recommending compliance with the injunction. Documents reviewed by the court suggested that Apple executives were aware of their actions and chose to maintain practices that interfered with competition. In her contempt order, Gonzalez Rogers not only held Apple accountable but also accused Apple's vice president of finance, Alex Roman, of lying under oath during the proceedings. This led to a referral of the matter for a potential criminal contempt investigation by the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California. Although Apple announced intentions to appeal the ruling, the incident reflects significant ongoing challenges in the technology sector regarding antitrust issues and competitive fairness. In parallel developments, apps like Spotify have swiftly acted to update their platforms in response to the judge's ruling, which aims to facilitate greater transparency regarding pricing and purchasing options for consumers. The ruling is likely to reshape how digital marketplaces operate, fostering a more competitive environment for developers. As expected, Epic Games has announced its return to the iOS App Store, indicating a shift in their longstanding feud with Apple over the 'Apple Tax' on app transactions.