Apple to Comply With New Court Ordered App Store Rules, But Will Appeal

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to change its U.S. App Store rules in accordance with a ruling from the U.S Northern District of California, Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. The company does plan to appeal the decision, though.

"We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal," reads Apple's statement.

Apple was found to be in violation of a 2021 injunction that targeted its anti-steering App Store rules, and the company has been ordered to comply with that injunction immediately. The court has provided instructions on the changes that Apple needs to make.

• Apple cannot prevent developers from adding links or buttons that direct customers to make purchases outside of the App Store.
• Apple cannot collect any fee or commission for purchases that consumers make outside of an app, nor can it track, audit, or monitor consumer activity.
• Apple cannot control the language, formatting, placement, or style that developers use to direct customers to purchases outside of an app.
• Apple cannot interfere with consumers' choice to leave an app with anything other than a neutral message about visiting a third-party site, so no "scare screens."
• Apple is prohibited from excluding certain categories of apps and developers from obtaining link access.
• Apple cannot prevent developers from using dynamic links that bring consumers to a specific product page in a logged-in state, nor can it prevent apps from providing product details, user details, or other information that refers to the user intending to make a purchase.

In the order, the court said that it "will not tolerate further delays" and that the ruling is effective immediately, so Apple will need to make these changes imminently.

Article Link: Apple to Comply With New Court Ordered App Store Rules, But Will Appeal

 

[Doomtomb]

Can't wait for Apple to violate this injunction too.

 

[Bustycat]

Time for some subscriptions to charge lesser for iOS finally?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Just comply

You make money a zillion different ways Apple
Take the small L and move on.

 

[BBCWatcher]

The company does plan to appeal the decision, though.

How would Apple appeal? Apple already lost all appeals on this issue. Even the U.S. Supreme Court wouldn't hear Apple's appeal. It's done.

I suppose Apple could appeal to Congress to try to change the law (and override California law on interstate commerce grounds). However, even in the unlikely event Congress and the President agree to change the law Apple still must comply with the court's order now. Apple is already tardy and now subject to contempt of court.

 

[turbineseaplane]

They need to fire the VP of Finance who lied under oath in this case.

 

[haunebu]

Charging up to 30% just for putting something in an App Store is inexcusable rent-seeking behavior. Apple are a bunch of money grubbers with a captive audience.

 

[It’s always something]

I may regret opening my mouth but these requirements do not seem to be anything other than common sense ones.

 

[SeaFox]

Imagine just following the law in countries you operate in.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I suppose Apple could appeal to Congress to try to change the law (and override California law on interstate commerce grounds).

Antitrust issues, somewhat uniquely, tend to have some mix of bipartisan support anyhow.

Apple should comply and move on.

 

[WiseAJ]

Welcome to malware!

 

[surferfb]

• Apple cannot collect any fee or commission for purchases that consumers make outside of an app, nor can it track, audit, or monitor consumer activity.

While I agree with most of the ruling, this point in particular is ridiculous.

 

[jz0309]

Imagine just following the law in countries you operate in.

In this specific case it’s not a law, it’s a court ruling and both parties have the right to appeal to higher courts

 

[surferfb]

How would Apple appeal? Apple already lost all appeals on this issue. Even the U.S. Supreme Court wouldn't hear Apple's appeal. It's done.

I suppose Apple could appeal to Congress to try to change the law (and override California law on interstate commerce grounds). However, even in the unlikely event Congress and the President agree to change the law Apple still must comply with the court's order now. Apple is already tardy and now subject to contempt of court.

They can appeal the finding they are in contempt of court. And/or can argue that the remedies laid out by the court are overstepping.

(For example, I suspect the current makeup of the Supreme Court won’t be super big fans of the idea Apple isn’t allowed to charge for access to their intellectual property.)

 

[JapanApple]

I received the alert 3 hours ago. I knew it would show up here. With hate mongers drooling over it. In a few days it will be overthrown. Doesn't California file lawsuits against almost everyone and everything?

 

[turbineseaplane]

While I agree with most of the ruling, this point in particular is ridiculous.

Totally disagree
I'm not Apple's customer when using a third party App, whether they like it or not.

So much of the problem with Apple is their overzealous hubris about "what is theirs".

 

[surferfb]

Totally disagree
I'm not Apple's customer when using a third party App, whether they like it or not.

Use of Intellectual Property ought to be paid for if the owner wants to be paid for it.

It’s like saying Disney has to let anyone use the Star Wars universe in books/movies/TV for free. App wouldn’t exist without Apple’s IP.

 

[swertens]

Apple plans to change its U.S. App Store rules in accordance with a ruling from the U.S Northern District of California, Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. The company does plan to appeal the decision, though.

"We strongly disagree with the decision. We will comply with the court's order and we will appeal," reads Apple's statement.

Apple was found to be in violation of a 2021 injunction that targeted its anti-steering App Store rules, and the company has been ordered to comply with that injunction immediately. The court has provided instructions on the changes that Apple needs to make.

• Apple cannot prevent developers from adding links or buttons that direct customers to make purchases outside of the App Store.
  
• Apple cannot collect any fee or commission for purchases that consumers make outside of an app, nor can it track, audit, or monitor consumer activity.
  
• Apple cannot control the language, formatting, placement, or style that developers use to direct customers to purchases outside of an app.
  
• Apple cannot interfere with consumers' choice to leave an app with anything other than a neutral message about visiting a third-party site, so no "scare screens."
  
• Apple is prohibited from excluding certain categories of apps and developers from obtaining link access.
  
• Apple cannot prevent developers from using dynamic links that bring consumers to a specific product page in a logged-in state, nor can it prevent apps from providing product details, user details, or other information that refers to the user intending to make a purchase.

In the order, the court said that it "will not tolerate further delays" and that the ruling is effective immediately, so Apple will need to make these changes imminently.

Article Link: Apple to Comply With New Court Ordered App Store Rules, But Will Appeal

Dumb rules from dumb California.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Intellectual property ought to be paid for.

Then they should figure some other scheme to account for that.

They should have been doing that for years, so if they're not ready, that'll be on them.

 

[dominiongamma]

Welcome to malware!

I like how users always forget that macOS gets it malware more easily then iOS but no one mentions that part. Users can download third party apps…

 

[jsavvy]

Welcome to malware!

It sure is possible. Hopefully people will use reputable developers.

 

[surferfb]

Then they should figure some other scheme to account for that.

They should have been doing that for years, so if they're not ready, that'll be on them.

I suspect tiered pricing for access to the App Store is coming, but that will be worse for everyone, so they’ll hold off as long as possible.

 

[turbineseaplane]

I suspect tiered pricing for access to the App Store is coming, but that will be worse for everyone, so they’ll hold off as long as possible.

I have no idea what's coming, so I'll leave the speculation to others and just see what happens.

 

[philrock]

Imagine just following the law in countries you operate in.

Imagine laws being created to directly counter a successful business model you created. The more successful you get, the more laws they make to take your success away.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Imagine laws being created to directly counter a successful business model you created. The more successful you get, the more laws they make to take your success away.

Imagine maliciously complying with judgements against you and having your VP of Finance lie under oath.