Overview

• A federal judge found Apple in willful violation of a 2021 injunction requiring alternative payment options in its App Store, barring the company from charging fees on external purchases.
• The court referred Apple and its Vice President of Finance, Alex Roman, to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation, citing false testimony under oath.
• Apple's tactics, including a 27% external purchase fee and 'scare screens,' were deemed deliberate efforts to undermine competition and maintain revenue streams.
• Apple announced plans to comply with the ruling and appeal, while Epic Games' CEO Tim Sweeney confirmed Fortnite's return to iOS next week and proposed ending litigation if Apple adopts a global commission-free framework.
• The ruling could reshape the app economy by reducing developer costs and increasing competition, with global implications as similar regulatory pressures mount in Europe.