Apple’s Antitrust Win Against Epic Blunted by Loss on Payments

Apple Inc.‘s appeals court victory in its antitrust battle with Epic Games Inc. was tempered by its loss on in-app payment requirements, in a decision that could spur digital market competition.

The US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit April 24 upheld a lower court’s ruling that, under California’s unfair competition law, Apple must drop its “anti-steering” provision and allow app developers to direct consumers to other companies for payment.

The decision—part of a larger ruling rejecting federal antitrust claims involving Apple’s App Store— has the potential to shake up the app marketplace, court watchers said.

“From a ...