US Court Denies Apple Stay on App Store Fee Ban

A U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has denied Apple's emergency motion to stay a ruling that prohibits the company from charging fees on payments made outside of the App Store via links within apps. This decision enforces a 2021 injunction, which found Apple in willful violation for its anticompetitive App Store practices, requiring Apple to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods without commissions. Epic Games, a central figure in this legal battle, hailed the ruling as the end of the "Apple tax," and major companies like Spotify and Amazon have already updated their apps to comply by enabling external payment options. Apple has expressed disappointment and plans to continue appealing, warning of potential significant financial losses due to the loss of commission revenue, which previously accounted for billions in sales. The ruling marks a pivotal shift in Apple's control over in-app purchases, challenging its long-standing business model and antitrust scrutiny. Despite the setback, Apple remains committed to maintaining the App Store as a secure platform for developers and users.