In a significant legal development, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld the majority of a harsh contempt ruling against Apple related to its iOS App Store payment practices. The decision reinforces a 2021 injunction aimed at opening up more payment options for developers, which Apple had previously violated.

Back in April, District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in “willful violation” of this injunction, criticizing the company’s restrictions on external payment links and its 27 percent commission fee. The appeals court confirmed that Apple’s actions were overly restrictive, noting that restrictions on how external payment options are presented should be more limited.

Expert analyst Tim Sweeney, CEO of Epic Games, expressed optimism, emphasizing that this ruling could bring positive change for developers worldwide. Legal experts highlight that the court also viewed Apple’s refusal to comply with the injunction in bad faith, dismissing claims that certain internal documents were protected by attorney-client privilege.

This case underscores ongoing tensions between Apple’s business model and regulatory efforts to foster fair competition in digital marketplaces. For developers and consumers, the ruling could signal a shift toward more transparent and accessible payment systems on iOS devices.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.