Apple Denied Permission to Appeal UK App Store Ruling

Apple was today denied permission from the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal to appeal a ruling that found its App Store commission practices to be unlawful and could result in damages of over $1 billion.

app store blue banner uk fixed
The hearing follows a decision made in October by the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) saying that Apple unlawfully abused its position in the distribution of iOS apps. The case was brought forward in 2023 on behalf of more than 1,500 UK developers who alleged that Apple charged excessive commission rates on paid apps and in-app purchases.

The tribunal agreed, ruling that Apple holds a monopoly over the sale and distribution of iPhone apps and that its commission structure resulted in higher prices being passed on to consumers. According to the CAT's published judgment, it accepted the claimants' argument that Apple's control over app distribution meant developers had "no economically viable alternative" to the ‌App Store‌.

The tribunal also cited comments made by Steve Jobs in 2008 that Apple did not intend to profit from the store and aimed only to cover operating costs. That early statement was referenced by the claimants as evidence that Apple's current commission structure had diverged significantly from its initial framing.

The latest hearing sought to establish a methodology for calculating compensation for both developers and affected consumers. Apple used the same hearing to request permission to appeal the October ruling, which was denied. Apple is now entitled to apply directly to the Court of Appeal to challenge the refusal and continue pursuing an appeal of the main ruling.

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Top Rated Comments

spazzcat Avatar
4 weeks ago
So when are they going to sue the other Stores like gaming systems, etc.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iamgalt Avatar
4 weeks ago

The tribunal agreed, ruling that Apple holds a monopoly over the sale and distribution of iPhone apps
And Google holds a monopoly over the sale of Android apps, Sony holds a monopoly of playstation apps, and Microsoft holds a monopoly of Xbox apps. So we should soon be hearing about how the UK government is going after every company selling things, right?
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
spazzcat Avatar
4 weeks ago

And Google holds a monopoly over the sale of Android apps, Sony holds a monopoly of playstation apps, and Microsoft holds a monopoly of Xbox apps. So we should soon be hearing about how the UK government is going after every company selling things, right?
Any before people say you can sell for exmaple your Xbox game elsewhere you still pay a fee to Microsoft for every game sold as a licensing fee and all systems work like this ...

https://www.serkantoto.com/2020/12/30/price-video-console-game-digital-physical/
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Hank001 Avatar
4 weeks ago

I am a little unclear on what law was broken.
Uh, the article clearly states "The tribunal agreed, ruling that Apple holds a monopoly over the sale and distribution of iPhone apps and that its commission structure resulted in higher prices being passed on to consumers."
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iLondoner Avatar
4 weeks ago
As a UK citizen I abhor what our government is doing. Without Apple and the App Store the developers wouldn't even have a market for their product.

Next they will go after HP and other printer manufacturers for their expensive locked in ink. But it's the excess profits from ink sales that enables HP to sell an A3/A4 dual-tray duplexing printer with A3 duplex scanner for £195. I remember when the first LaserJet in the UK was £3,000 (about £4,200 at today's money).
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
4 weeks ago

As a UK citizen I abhor what our government is doing.
Basically every citizen of every country will end up saying this (about one topic or another) if asked.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)