According to court filings, Apple Inc requested a US federal judge on Friday to put on hold orders that might require it to adjust some of its App Store policies, and it also said it is appealing the verdict in an antitrust case brought by “Fortnite” creator Epic Games.
After a weeks-long trial, US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers decided substantially in Apple’s favour in September. She did, however, demand one major concession: beginning December 9, Apple could no longer restrict app developers from providing buttons or links in their apps that guide users to payment methods other than Apple’s in-app payment system, which levies a commission to developers.
Gonzalez Rogers expressed worry in the whole 180-page judgement that developers were being banned from engaging with iPhone consumers about alternative prices.
In its submission on Friday, Apple stated that complying with the order could cost it and its customers harm. It stated that it expects to win an appeal disputing the order and that it prefers to let the legal process play out first, which may take up to a year.
Epic is appealing the judge’s decision that Apple’s payment conditions did not violate antitrust law.
“The requested stay will allow Apple to protect consumers and safeguard its platform while the company works through the complex and rapidly evolving legal, technological, economic issues,” Friday`s filing said.
In recent months, Apple agreed to relax additional regulations governing developer-to-user contact as part of settlements with developers suing the company and Japan’s antitrust authority.
The company stated that it has already began examining options that will both satisfy Gonzalez Rogers’ call for consumers to be more informed and its objectives to keep them safe from scams while continuing to receive commissions.
Apple wants a hearing with Gonzalez Rogers on its stay request in early November. The deadline for Epic’s opening arguments in its appeal is December 12.
Apple has stated that “Fortnite” will remain unavailable on the App Store until all appeals are exhausted.
