Overview

• Federal Court Justice Jonathan Beach found that Apple and Google used their dominant position to ban sideloading and alternative payment methods, breaching section 46 of Australia’s Competition and Consumer Act.
• The ruling enables two class actions representing millions of Australian consumers and developers to seek compensation for inflated commissions on app sales.
• Epic Games announced that the Epic Games Store and Fortnite will return to iOS in Australia at a date to be determined following the decision.
• Justice Beach rejected Epic’s claims of unconscionable conduct and certain consumer-law breaches while upholding the core antitrust allegations.
• Apple and Google said they disagree with parts of the judgment, will review the full 2,000-page written reasons and prepare for appeals and follow-on hearings to set damages and remedies.