Progress

Current status
in force
21 Apr 2026in force
12 Aug 2025in force
02 Dec 2021in force
09 Jul 2021under appeal
09 Apr 2021under deliberation
16 Nov 2020under deliberation

Scope

Implementers
Australia
Policy Area
Competition
Policy Instrument
Unilateral conduct regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
software provider: app stores
Government Branch
judiciary
Government Body
court
Implementation Level
national

Timeline of events

21 Apr 2026
in force

Federal Court of Australia granted Australian Competition and Consumer Commission leave to intervene in Epic Games v Apple over relief from market power misuse findings

On 21 April 2026, the Federal Court of Australia granted the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) leave to intervene in Epic Games v Apple, limited to written submissions on specific relief issues of public interest. The relief hear…

Event typecivil lawsuit
Action typeruling
Government branchjudiciary
Government bodycourt
12 Aug 2025
in force

Federal Court of Australia issued ruling against Apple over alleged misuse of market power in application payment services and distribution methods

On 12 August 2025, the Federal Court of Australia issued a ruling against Apple, finding that it contravened section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act by misusing market power in iPhone Operating System (iOS) application (app) distribution and …

Event typecivil lawsuit
Action typeruling
Government branchjudiciary
Government bodycourt
02 Dec 2021
in force

Dismissed appeal by Apple

On 2 December 2021, the High Court of Australia dismissed an appeal by Apple Inc regarding the Federal Court's decision to allow the trial to proceed. As a result, the trial will most likely begin in late 2022.

Event typecivil lawsuit
Action typeruling
Government branchjudiciary
Government bodycourt
09 Jul 2021
under appeal

Counter-appeal by Epic Games Inc approved regarding Apple's AppStore appeal to abandon proceedings

After Apple Inc filed a complaint that the claim was inappropriate, since it was already before a US court in California, Epic Inc lodged a counter-appeal. The Federal Court of Australia ruled in favour of the counter-appeal, which means that the ca…

Event typecivil lawsuit
Action typeappeal
Government branchjudiciary
Government bodycourt
09 Apr 2021
under deliberation

Appeal by Apple approved regarding a permanent stay application in the case between Epic Games Inc and Apple regarding Apple's AppStore

On April 9, 2021, the Federal Court of Australia approved Apple's stay application, by ordering a temporary stay on proceedings. Epic Games Inc therefore now has 3 months to file a lawsuit in the Northern District of California, as was agreed upon i…

Event typecivil lawsuit
Action typeannouncement
Government branchjudiciary
Government bodycourt
16 Nov 2020
under deliberation

Notice of filing about a complaint made by Epic Games Inc regarding Apple's AppStore monopoly

On November 16, 2020, Epic Games Inc filed a complaint against Apple Inc regarding alleged monopoly power in the AppStore. The AppStore is not only the only possibility for app developers to distribute their applications, Apple also forces app devel…

Event typecivil lawsuit
Action typeannouncement
Government branchjudiciary
Government bodycourt