Apple claims Epic is trying to ‘micromanage’ its business operations in a new court filing

Apple and Epic Games, two tech giants embroiled in a legal battle over App Store practices, are once again at odds as Apple accuses Epic of attempting to “micromanage” its business operations. The dispute stems from Epic’s motion to hold Apple in contempt for alleged violations of a 2021 injunction related to the App Store.

The initial injunction, issued by US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, required Apple to allow developers to offer external payment methods to sidestep the hefty fees of up to 30 percent on App Store and in-app purchases. While Apple did introduce new guidelines in January permitting links to external payment options, it also mandated that developers seek approval and imposed a commission of 12-27 percent on these transactions.

Epic Games contends that Apple’s new rules render alternative payment options “commercially unusable,” claiming that Apple’s compliance with the injunction is insincere. In response, Apple asserts that it has adhered to the court order, emphasizing that the purpose of the injunction was to enhance transparency around alternative purchase methods, not to dictate Apple’s commercial terms.

Apple argues that Epic’s motion is an attempt to interfere with its business operations to boost Epic’s profitability. The ongoing legal battle underscores the clash between Apple’s control over its platform and Epic’s push for more developer-friendly practices.

As the tech industry closely watches this legal showdown, the outcome could have significant implications for app developers, consumers, and the broader ecosystem of digital platforms. The court’s decision on this matter will likely shape the future landscape of app store policies and the relationships between platform operators and developers.