US Court of Appeals has suspended laws in conflict with Apple App Store | Technology News

The decision is a major victory for iPhone makers as it tackles Epic Games’ biggest challenge in its control of the $ 142bn mobile market distribution app.

Apple Inc. succeeded in delaying a change that the court had ordered in its App Store as it appealed the decision.

The federal appellate court on Wednesday granted Apple’s request to suspend the deadline of December 9 to comply with a judge’s order that the company allow developers to direct customers to pay-to-store-out-of-store channels. The decision is a huge success for iPhone makers as it tackles the biggest challenge for Epic Games Inc. under its control of the $ 142 billion mobile app distribution market.

The world’s most valuable technology company has sued the Ninth Court of Appeals for a change that ordered U.S. Regional Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to “harm customers, developers, and Apple alone.” Now, the amendment ordered in September is suspended until Apple’s request is revoked, which could take up to a year.

Apple reached a climax in the news briefly. Shares rose 2.1% to $ 174.79 at 2:40 pm in New York.

Epic declined to comment and Apple had no comment on the ruling.

In his ruling, Gonzalez Rogers reassured Apple on Epic’s claim that the App Store rules violate federal antitrust laws by harming manufacturers and consumers while enriching the technology giant. But he also alleged that Apple violated California anti-corruption laws and so-called anti-fraud laws that prohibit manufacturers from using online links or other means within apps to inform consumers of payment methods outside the App Store.

Apple told Circuit Ninth that it had already met half of the judge’s decision by changing its guidelines to allow for “external connection to the app” between all manufacturers and users. Part of the process overseen by Apple’s persistent request affects internal marketing and links.

Apple has indicated “at least, that its appeal is raising serious questions” in a lower court ruling that violated California competition law, the appellate court said.

The iPhone maker continues to face numerous antitrust lawsuits inside and outside the US seeking to open up the App Store to competition, security surveys conducted by government and federal agencies, and to enact laws to ban its business practices.

Bloomberg Intelligence says forcing Apple to reduce its App Store commissions for manufacturers, which currently grow by up to 30%, could squeeze from $ 2 billion to $ 4 billion in extreme cases.

Epic, a popular game developer for Fortnite, is also fascinated by Gonzalez Rogers’ controversial decisions. Chief Executive Officer Tim Sweeney said his appeal could take up to five years to complete, which would include a trip to the US Supreme Court.

Prior to the sentencing of Gonzalez Rogers, Apple announced two App Store changes, similar to court orders, in areas occupied by smaller US manufacturers and the Japan Federal Trade Commission.

Apple allows developers to communicate directly with users of other payment methods, and next year will begin allowing so-called “reader” programs – which deal with media such as videos, photos and news – to direct users online to subscribe, via. Apple Pay.

The case is owned by Epic Games Inc. v. Apple Inc., 21-16695, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal for the 9th Circuit Court (San Francisco).