Apple Is Handed Stinging Defeat

Apple has faced a stinging defeat in a court case involving app compensation.

According to The Associated Press, a federal judge "has strongly rebuked Apple," ruling that the company "willfully violated a court injunction in an antitrust case filed by Fortnite maker Epic Games."

The order came down from U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, who previously ruled that Apple needed to "lower the barriers protecting its previously exclusive payment system for in-app digital transactions," according to AP.

The wire service noted that the judge also ordered Apple to "allow developers to display links to alternative options."

“Apple’s continued attempts to interfere with competition will not be tolerated,” Gonzalez Rogers said in the ruling, according to AP.

Her ruling says that Apple can “no longer impede developers’ ability to communicate with users nor will they levy or impose a new commission on off-app purchases," according to AP.

Apple is fighting back.

"We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal," the company said in a statement to CBS.

According to CBS, Epic accused Apple of creating "an illegal monopoly around its popular App Store that makes billions of dollars annually from a then-exclusive payment system."

CBS reported that the system "collects commissions ranging from 15% to 30% on in-app commerce."

According to CNN, Epic accused Apple of "stifling competition for app downloads and overcharging commissions for in-app purchases."

At issue was Apple's decision to put "a new 27% fee on app developers," according to CNN.

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