Apple Seeks to Pause Judge’s Order in Epic Games Case, Cites Irreparable Harm

Apple has requested that the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals temporarily halt a federal court ruling that mandates major changes to how it operates its App Store, arguing the company will suffer “irreparable harm” if key provisions are enforced during its legal challenge.

Key Points:

• Contempt Ruling: The motion follows U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers’ April 30 ruling, which found Apple in contempt of a 2021 antitrust injunction originally stemming from Epic Games’ lawsuit. She ordered Apple to end new App Store rules that allegedly circumvented the original order.

• Apple’s Argument: Apple claims the ruling interferes with core business operations and that the company is being forced to give away access to its ecosystem without proper compensation. It specifically objected to:

  • A ban on Apple’s 27% commission for out-of-app purchases.

  • Restrictions on where developers may place external payment links.

• Epic’s Response: Epic Games labeled Apple’s motion a “last ditch effort” to avoid competition and maintain what it called “junk fees.” The company said developers have already begun offering better deals and alternative payment methods since the injunction.

Context:

• The Lawsuit: The legal battle began in 2020 when Epic challenged Apple’s dominance over iOS app distribution and in-app payment systems, claiming anti-competitive practices.

• 2021 Injunction: A prior order from Judge Gonzalez Rogers required Apple to allow app developers to direct users to alternative payment platforms. Epic argued Apple had not complied in good faith.

• Criminal Referral: In her recent ruling, the judge accused Apple of misleading the court and referred the company and an executive to federal prosecutors for a possible criminal contempt investigation.

What’s Next:

The appeals court must now decide whether to pause enforcement of the contempt ruling as Apple’s legal challenge proceeds. If denied, Apple would have to immediately comply with the injunction, potentially reshaping the App Store’s fee model and developer guidelines.