Epic Games CEO Says Court Ruling Means ‘Apple Tax Is Dead'

Core Viewpoint - The recent federal appeals court decision in the legal battle between Epic Games and Apple signifies the start of "true, untaxed competition in payments worldwide on iOS" according to Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney [1][4]. Group 1: Legal Rulings - The appeals court upheld a previous ruling that Apple had engaged in anticompetitive conduct by ignoring a judge's order to allow developers to direct consumers to alternative payment options outside the App Store [2][5]. - The appeals court also indicated that a district court judge must consider allowing Apple to collect a commission on transactions made outside its App Store, although not at the previous rate of 27% [3]. Group 2: Implications for Competition - Sweeney emphasized that the ruling confirms the end of the "Apple Tax" in the USA, allowing for side-by-side placement of Apple payments and developer payments [3][4]. - The ruling is expected to foster competition by enabling developers to utilize third-party payment options, which could lead to lower costs for consumers [4][5].