Digital Policy Alert logo

United States of America: Judgement and permanent injunction released which force Apple to allow third-party payment options

Policy overview

Description

Judgement and permanent injunction released which force Apple to allow third-party payment options

On 10 September 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California reached its verdict in the matter Epic Games vs. Apple. It ruled that Epic Games has to pay damages for breach of contract since it violated the AppStore's terms a…

Scope

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

Complete timeline of this policy change

Hide details
2021-09-10
in force

On 10 September 2021, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California reached its v…

2021-10-08
under appeal

On 8 October 2021, one month after the US District Court for the Northern District of California re…

2021-12-08
adopted

On 8 December 2021, the Court of Appeals ruled to allow the delayment of previously ordered changes…

2023-04-24
in force

On 24 April 2023, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued its ruling concerning Epic G…

2023-07-17
under investigation

On 17 July 2023, the Court of Appeal postponed the abolition of Apple's anti-steering rules within …

2023-08-09
under investigation

On 9 August 2023, the US Supreme Court upheld the decision to delay the removal of Apple's anti-ste…

2023-09-27
under appeal

On 27 September 2023, Epic Games Inc. (Epic) filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in the Supre…

2023-09-27
under appeal

On 27 September 2023, Apple Inc. (Apple) filed a petition for a writ of certiorari in the Supreme C…

2025-04-30
in force

On 30 April 2025, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California issued i…

2025-06-04
in force

On 4 June 2025, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit denied Apple Inc.’s emergency motion …

2025-12-11
in force

On 11 December 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued its ruling in …

2026-05-04
under appeal

On 4 May 2026, Apple filed an application in the Supreme Court of the United States, directed to th…

2026-05-05
under appeal

On 5 May 2026, Epic Games filed its response to Apple's application for a stay of the Ninth Circuit…

2026-05-06
in force

On 6 May 2026, the Supreme Court of the United States denied Apple's application to stay the Ninth …

Key regulatory dimensions

Regulated subjects

The businesses, government agencies or individuals affected by this policy or regulatory change.
plaintiff
1
Type Private organisation
Economic activity other service provider
Category Firm-specific
defendant
2
Type Private organisation
Economic activity software provider: app stores
Category Firm-specific

Policy change by business practice

The detailed activities within the scope of this policy or regulatory change.
software: app store: marketing (any form)
Regulatory tool
End user access requirement
Prohibition of end-user contract limitations
Sanctions
Termination of exclusive agreements
Regulated subjects
2
Regulatory tool
Sanctions
Civil penalty
Regulated subjects
1

Policy change by business practice

The detailed activities within the scope of this policy or regulatory change.

software: app store: marketing (any form)