Apple Gains Time in Epic Games Trial
Apple doesn't have to rush to implement support for third-party links and payments. Court of appeal has suspended the execution of September's injunction, which was planned for tomorrow.
When Apple filed a motion in October for a de facto indefinite postponement of the injunction introduction of support for external links and payments in the App Store, Judge Yvonne Rogers rejected the company's explanation. However, the company ultimately got what it wanted. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in California has halted enforcement of the lower court's order.
As the reasons for the decision read, "Apple has demonstrated that its appeal raises serious doubts about the reasonableness of the district court's findings." For that reason, the company's request to temporarily suspend the item related to adding links and payment options outside the App Store was granted. At least until the court of appeal hears the case, and it will probably take months to prepare for that.
Apple was able to get a last-minute stay of Judge Rogers' order. Originally it was due to take effect from tomorrow, although the company insisted that this would be impossible for reasons relating to the safety of consumers, including children. The appeal was protested against by Epic Games, which saw it as a delaying tactic. In a way, this was confirmed by Apple itself, which is supposed to be confident of victory in the appeal.
It should be noted that the decision of the appeals court concerns only the introduction in the App Store support for third-party links and payment methods. Apple still has to comply with the second point of the September ruling and enable developers to "communicate with users through touchpoints voluntarily obtained from customers through in-app account registration".
