Ahead of Epic Games hearing, Apple objects to the App Store allowing links to purchasing mechanisms beyond its own payment system
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On October 9, Patently Apple posted a report titled "Apple Files an Appeal in Epic Games Case that could potentially delay changes to the App Store for years." Then on October 23, we posted another report titled "Epic Games has opposed Apple's Tactic to pause Antitrust Trial Orders that would allow other forms of in-app payment systems on the App Store."
Last night a new report surfaced outlining Apple's objections to allowing app developers to link to third-party payment options ahead of a hearing next month that could determine whether a set of antitrust court orders is put on pause.
According to Reuters, "After a lengthy trial earlier this year brought by 'Fortnite' creator Epic Games, U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers issued a ruling that was largely favorable to Apple. However, she ordered Apple to stop its ban on "buttons, external links, or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms" beyond Apple's own payment systems.
Apple has until Dec. 9 to implement the order and in the meantime has filed an appeal asking that the judge's order be put on hold while the appeal plays out. A hearing on the request is set for Nov. 9.
Apple on Friday for the first time signaled that its strongest objections are to the requirements to allow buttons and links that provide a "mechanism" for outside payments. The filing provided the first suggestion that Apple objects less strongly to allowing developers to provide information about other ways to pay.
Apple has stated that links and buttons harm its ability to require developers to use its in-app payments (IAP), which the court upheld.
"Restrictions on linking out are inextricably tied to Apple’s requirement that developers use IAP for purchases of digital content—a requirement this Court considered in detail and upheld against Epic’s challenge," Apple said. For more, read the full Reuters report posted on Yahoo! Finance.
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