Apple has been found in contempt of court for deliberately disregarding a 2021 injunction related to the Epic Games case. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers accused Apple and its vice president of finance, Alex Roman, of misleading the court with false statements regarding commission fees on app purchases. The judge referred the matter to U.S. attorneys for possible criminal contempt proceedings. This decision marks a significant rebuke of Apple’s actions following the original trial, where Epic Games secured some concessions concerning app store policies.

Rogers criticized Apple's anticompetitive practices and its attempts to conceal internal discussions about rule changes. She ordered the company to cease collecting commissions on certain off-app purchases immediately and to pay Epic Games’ legal fees. This ruling is considered a major win for developers, enabling them to offer alternative payment systems alongside Apple's own.

Legal Missteps and Deceptive Practices

Judge Rogers uncovered multiple instances where Apple misrepresented facts during the Epic Games trial. Specifically, she accused Alex Roman of lying under oath about the timing of Apple’s decision to impose a 27% fee on specific purchases linked to the App Store. The judge viewed these actions as deliberate attempts to mislead the court, leading her to refer the case for potential criminal charges.

The court filing revealed that Apple introduced new policies in 2024 which collected substantial commissions from purchases made via web links within apps, contradicting the spirit of the 2021 ruling. According to Rogers, nearly every decision Apple made regarding its app-linking policies was deemed anticompetitive. Moreover, Apple allegedly fabricated evidence to align with litigation needs rather than reflecting genuine internal discussions. This fabrication included hiding documentation of a crucial meeting involving CEO Tim Cook in June 2023, only disclosing it in 2025.

Impact on Developers and Future Compliance

As part of the judicial order, Apple must halt imposing commissions on purchases conducted through web links inside iPhone apps. Additionally, the tech giant is required to cover Epic Games’ attorney fees associated with this issue. This immediate action underscores the importance of adhering to court orders without negotiation or disregard.

This ruling represents a landmark victory for software developers, allowing them to present their payment services alongside Apple’s offerings. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney expressed satisfaction, stating that this forces Apple into fair competition—a primary goal since the inception of the lawsuit. The judge emphasized that compliance with court rulings is non-negotiable, highlighting the necessity for transparency and honesty in future dealings between corporations and the judiciary. Furthermore, the decision suggests that senior executives like Phil Schiller advocated against such commissions, but their suggestions were overlooked by higher management, exemplifying internal conflicts over business strategies.