Apple(US:AAPL) Zhi Tong Cai Jing·2025-12-12 02:09Core Viewpoint - Apple Inc. has faced a setback in its legal battle against a ruling that found it in contempt of court, but it has gained an opportunity to defend its practice of charging developers fees for transactions outside the App Store [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Proceedings - A federal appeals court upheld a previous ruling that Apple had willfully disobeyed a judge's order regarding its monopolistic practices under California law [1][2]. - The court indicated that the lower court had overstepped by prohibiting all commissions, suggesting that Apple is entitled to some compensation for the use of its intellectual property by developers [1][2]. Group 2: Financial Implications - Apple generates billions annually from digital sales commissions in its App Store, with estimates suggesting it earned $10 billion from its U.S. App Store in 2024 [2]. - The company has facilitated over $400 billion in developer sales in 2024, although it does not separately report App Store revenue [2]. Group 3: Ongoing Disputes - The legal dispute, initiated by Epic Games over competition in the App Store, has been ongoing for over five years, with Apple previously allowing developers to direct users to cheaper payment options but imposing a new 27% commission on such transactions [2][3].