The US-based technology giant, Apple has requested a US federal judge to put a hold on orders that could require it to change some of its App Store practices and it has also appealed a federal judge’s verdict in its legal battle with Fortnite-maker Epic Games.
Last month, the US District Judge Ms. Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled in Apple’s favor after a weeks-long trial. But the judge barred Apple from prohibiting developers from including in their apps external links or other calls to action that direct customers to other purchasing mechanisms.
Ms. Gonzalez Rogers, in her ruling, raised the concern that Apple is restricting the developers from communicating with iPhone users about alternative prices.
Last day, Apple said that complying with the order could cause it and consumers harm. The company said that it expects to win an appeal challenging the order and that it wants the legal process, which could last about a year.
Epic separately is appealing the judge’s finding that Apple has not violated antitrust law through its payment rules. The Fortnite developer launched the case aiming to break Apple’s grip on the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of acting like a monopoly in its shop for digital goods or services.
“The requested stay will allow Apple to protect consumers and safeguard its platform while the company works through the complex and rapidly evolving legal, technological, economic issues,” the tech giant’s filing said.
In recent months, Apple agreed to loosen other rules about communications between developers and users as part of settlements with developers suing the company and Japan’s antitrust regulator.
The company said it has already begun discussing solutions that would satisfy both Ms. Gonzalez Rogers’ request for consumers to be more informed and its desires to keep them protected from scams and continue collecting commissions.
Apple is seeking a hearing with Ms. Gonzalez Rogers in early November on its stay request. Epic’s opening arguments for its appeal are due December 12th. However, Apple has said it would keep “Fortnite” off the App Store until all appeals are exhausted.
