A major legal battle is brewing between Apple and a group of app developers. The UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has greenlit a class action lawsuit against the tech giant, allowing nearly 13,000 developers to seek compensation for excessive App Store fees.
The core of the lawsuit alleges that Apple abused its dominant position in the iOS ecosystem by forcing developers to use its App Store and charging a 30% commission on in-app purchases. The developers argue that these fees are unfair and constitute anti-competitive behavior.
The CAT rejected Apple’s attempt to dismiss the case, which argued that UK courts lack jurisdiction over sales made outside the country. The tribunal, however, determined that the impact of Apple’s practices extends beyond national borders and affects developers worldwide.
If successful, the lawsuit could result in Apple being ordered to pay billions of dollars in compensation to affected developers. This case has significant implications for the future of app store ecosystems and could set a precedent for similar legal challenges globally.
