Apple Inc. encountered a major legal hurdle when U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found the company in violation of a court order from April 30, 2025. The ruling stated that Apple impeded competition by imposing a 27% commission on external transactions and restricting links to external purchases. As a result, Apple's finance VP, Alex Roman, and the company were referred to federal prosecutors for potential criminal contempt, according to Reuters.
In response to this decision, Epic Games, known for its ongoing antitrust confrontation with Apple, announced its intention to bring "Fortnite" back to the App Store. The decision is seen as a triumph for developers and consumers, marking a shift in the dynamics between Apple and third-party app developers. Meanwhile, Apple's stock saw a slight uptick, trading at $212.50 with a 0.544% increase from its previous close as of May 1, 2025.
Apple has communicated its intent to appeal the ruling, though it has agreed to comply with the current court order in the meantime. The company remains at the center of discussions about fair competition practices, especially concerning how it manages the App Store, which has been a significant point of contention in its legal battles with app developers.