Apple to Ask US Supreme Court to Undo App Store Order in Epic Games Case (opens in new tab)

(reuters.com)

29 pointsCalvin022y ago7 comments

7 comments

4 comments · 3 top-level

knubie2y ago· 1 in thread

So as of today Apple's App Store Review Guidelines still prohibit apps from linking to outside payment options. [1] At what point will this ruling (almost 2 years ago now) actually take effect?

[1] (3.1.1) Apps and their metadata may not include buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms other than in-app purchase, except as set forth in 3.1.3(a). https://developer.apple.com/app-store/review/guidelines/#bus...

dmvdoug2y ago

It’s on appeal. The injunction requiring Apple to change the terms was stayed pending appeal right after the injunction was issued. That is not unusual, btw. Apple lost its appeal before a panel of the 9th Circuit. The only thing it can do now is ask the Supreme Court to hear the case. And in this filing, they are telling the Supreme Court they are going to submit a petition for writ of certiorari (a fancy way of saying please take our case, Supreme Court), so they’re asking the Supremes to “stay the mandate”—-a fancy way of saying please don’t force us to follow the injunction while we prepare our petition to you.

Between when the case was decided and now, Apple has been appealing, as is their right. They have one level left to appeal to. Litigation takes time. this is actually pretty quick in relative terms. Certainly no Jarndyce and Jarndyce.

musicale2y ago

> The judge's order said Apple could not prohibit developers from providing links and buttons to payment options in their apps that take consumers outside of the App Store - a step that could reduce sales commissions paid to Apple.

IIRC Apple was forced to allow this for dating apps in the Netherlands - but they still charge a 27% commission anyway.

Which is to be expected - the fee is a platform commission which is largely unrelated to the cost of transaction processing.

olliej2y ago

It seems like all they'd need to do is pay off a couple of the justices. It seems super affordable.

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