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Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple will no longer be able to prohibit developers from providing in-app purchases. Until now, developers were forced to pay Apple a 15% to 30% commission on all transactions.
The injunction could alter Apple’s payment mechanism drastically and also create possibilities for alternate payment methods. Here’s why this ruling is significant for crypto.
Apple vs Epic Games Opens the Door to New Payment Methods
Epic, the video games company behind Fortnite, sued Apple over its monopolistic in-app purchase policy in May.
Apple charges a 30% commission for any purchase made on the App Store and requires developers to integrate the store for any further transactions within their apps. When Epic tried to skirt around this mechanism by introducing its own payment method in the mobile version of Fortnite, Apple deleted the game from App Store.
In a setback for Apple, Rogers agreed with Epic’s allegation that the practice is anti-competitive and ordered the company to loosen its rigid policies:
The implications of Rogers’ ruling extend beyond Epic’s interest in making 100% revenue from its sales. It could potentially upend the way payments work on app stores and allow developers to explore cryptocurrencies for transactions. Some in the crypto community are already viewing the outcome of this lawsuit as a huge win for digital assets.
Epic’s Lawsuit Against Google and Repercussions for Other Companies
Like Apple, Google is currently embroiled in a legal battle with Epic Games for its unchallenged control of android software and the app market.
If the judgment here takes any cues from Apple’s trial, it would allow developers to add any kind of payment system to their apps.
Notably, Overstock, Sotheby's, Starbucks, and many others already accept crypto payments and also use these app stores. Any amendment to payment policies could enable them to directly accept cryptocurrencies. Moreover, small and medium businesses seeking relief from payment charges can also leverage digital assets for their profitability.