San Francisco – Apple Inc. For a big blow this week when a federal judge ruled that the iPhone manufacturer violated an order before the court to stop the fees for the purchase committee that was made outside its market.
In a massive reprimand, the American provincial judge, iPhone Gonzalez Rogers, has increased Apple’s shares by referring the case to the prosecutors to conduct a possible criminal investigation.
The judge stood up with the Epic Makes “Fortnite” games, which claimed that Cupertino, California, worked the technology giant of an order issued in 2021 after finding the company participating in anti -competition behavior.
The referee can eventually mean a decrease in the costs of Apple developers and consumers because applications will have a way to circumvent Apple Up to 30 % fees for purchases within the application By directing consumers to their goods and services with links to external sites.
“Who – which [Apple] The judge wrote in her decision on Wednesday: “As was the case in its ruling on Wednesday, as is always the case, the cover -up has increased a serious miscalculation. For this court, there is no second bite in the apple.”
What is the case?
Epic Games filed a lawsuit against Apple in 2020, accusing the company to engage in anti -competition practices.
“Fortnite” earns the company money by allowing players to purchase digital goods in the famous multiple gameplay online game. EPIC wants to allow users to buy things outside the Apple system and avoid the company’s fees, which developers call “Apple Tax”.
But EPIC claimed that Apple prevented him from doing this.
It was one of the wins achieved The court ordered Apple to allow application developers to put links in their applications so that customers can perform external purchases and exceed the company’s commission fees.
The court said Apple challenged the matter.
After the ruling, Apple restricted the methods that developers can communicate with with its customers about the purchases outside the application and used the formulation that inhibits users from clicking on these links.
The referee said that Apple will impose commission fees on any goods or services purchased within seven days of the consumer who clicks on a link that brought them out of the application.
Judge Gonzales wrote that Apple made efforts to hide the documents that discussed these practices by misuse the client lawyer’s privilege and the use of symbol names such as “Project Michigan” in reference to the irritable matter or relevant issues, and that the vice president of Apple for financing was lied under the department.
The court approved Apple for the full cost of EPIC lawyer fees and referred it to the American lawyer for the northern region of California for possible criminal contempt procedures.
Apple said it strongly opposed the decision and will consider the court order.
“We will appeal,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in a call with investors on Thursday.
What is the size of this deal in favor of Apple?
Court referee can have a major impact on Apple’s work.
Not taking commissions from the purchase of external applications may reduce Apple revenues of hundreds of millions or billions, according to the company’s estimates, according to the 80 -page judgment.
“They are very materials for them, and therefore they are not willing to give up,” said Enderle Group. “Tim Cook, like laser, has focused on margins and performance at the bottom of the company, and given the customs tariff, Apple will struggle strongly to keep the margins and momentum.”
Apple faces other opposite winds, including A lawsuit against monopoly And Trump’s commercial war with countries, including China, where Apple is made Most iPhone devices. The Trump administration said the definitions are on Products like smartphones It can come soon.
Cook told investors that the definitions could add $ 900 million to Apple costs in the current quarter.
Will the ruling save consumers and developers?
Many companies that evolve applications chanted by the judge, saying that they will save money and make life easier for consumers.
Spotify, for example, He said Allowing external purchases will simplify the purchase of audio books, which is an important new line of Swedish Audio Streamer’s business.
Endi Yen, CEO of Proton, who provides encrypted email services and VPN services, said his company would reduce their prices as a result of the decision.
“There is no Apple tax means that we will reduce the prices for users by up to 30 %,” Yen wrote on X.[s] To reduce inflation in the United States. ”
Tim Sweeny, CEO of EPIC Games on Wednesday, wrote that “Fortnite” will return to the American application store next week and perhaps around the world if Apple extends “the friction -free friction framework, worldwide”.
“It’s good for [developers] “Because he has the ability to allow them to pay less in terms of what they need to do. He liberates him and makes him cheaper,” said Karl Tobias, a law professor at Richmond University.
What will Apple do now?
Apple said it would appeal the ruling.
The US lawyer for the northern region of California will be left to determine whether possible criminal contempt for procedures will be brought. The lawyer’s office did not return a request for comment.
Analysts said that Apple’s relationship with President Trump could play a role if Apple will face a criminal investigation.
Technology companies and their leaders tried to build closer relationships with the Trump administration by making them Equipment contributions Or pledge to bring more manufacturing to the United States
Ander said that Apple’s behavior so far “will indicate that this will be a long battle with appeals and hope that President Trump will come to their defense and reduce them from this burden.”
Bloomberg contributed to this report.
