In the ongoing legal dispute between Apple and Epic Games, Apple demands the dismissal of a new motion by Epic, which accuses the tech giant of violating a preliminary injunction from 2021. This injunction originally required Apple to allow developers to use alternative payment systems in the App Store to bypass high fees of up to 30 percent. Epic argues that Apple's new policies, which require approval for alternative payment methods and still propose commissions of twelve to 27 percent, would make these payment methods "commercially unfeasible."

Apple, on the other hand, claims to have acted in accordance with the preliminary injunction and emphasizes in its latest filing that the aim of the injunction is to "make information about alternative purchasing options more readily available, not to dictate the commercial terms under which Apple grants access to its platform." The dispute raises fundamental questions about the payment methods offered by Apple's App Store and whether these practices are fair to developers.

This Case is Not Isolated. Epic Games had already succeeded at the end of last year in an antitrust case against Google, where a jury found that Google held an illegal monopoly on in-app billing and app distribution on Android devices. This case also emphasized the need for further opening up app marketplaces for developers.

The Conflict Between Apple and Epic Games Continues to Escalate as Both Sides Await a Final Verdict. The Outcomes of This and Similar Cases Could Have Far-reaching Implications for the Future of App Stores and the Digital Economy as a Whole. Developments Indicate that the Debate Over Market Power, Accessibility, and Fair Conditions in Digital Ecosystems Remains Highly Relevant.