Cook’d: Judge says Apple lied to court in Epic case, asks Feds to mull criminal charges
Summary
A federal judge has accused Apple executives of deliberately ignoring a court injunction and providing false testimony during the Epic Games lawsuit. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has requested the US prosecutors look into potential criminal charges against Apple as it allegedly engaged in misconduct to maintain its substantial revenue from the App Store. The judge pointed out that Apple employed tactics that increased barriers for developers and discouraged the use of alternative payment methods to preserve its market dominance.
The findings come from the prolonged Epic Games vs Apple dispute, where Epic sought to allow direct sales to consumers, circumventing Apple’s hefty 30% commission. Although Apple won most of the issues in this case, the judge’s ruling on the injunction against the 30% charge has become a significant point of contention.
Key Points
- Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers accuses Apple of perjury and asks for a criminal investigation.
- Apple allegedly defied a court order to respect developers’ rights to communicate about alternative payment systems.
- Apple’s new 27% commission on off-App Store purchases has been criticized as an attempt to undermine the judge’s injunction.
- The judge highlights Apple executives’ consistent choice of anti-competitive practices, asserting they were fully aware of their actions.
- Epic Games remains under scrutiny itself due to past issues related to ‘dark patterns’ in customer payments.
Why should I read this?
This article dives into a monumental court ruling that could reshape the future of digital marketplaces and app stores. If you’re keen on tech, business ethics, or just enjoy the drama of corporate giants clashing in court, you won’t want to miss this unfolding saga! Plus, it reveals insights about accountability and the lengths companies might go to preserve their profit margins—definitely worth your attention!