Apple (AAPL) violated a 2021 court order requiring it to allow third-party payment options in its App Store and to stop charging commissions on purchases outside its software marketplace, media outlets reported Wednesday, citing a federal judge.
US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that the company failed to comply and referred the case to federal prosecutors for a potential criminal contempt investigation, the reports said.
The decision, part of the ongoing legal fight with Fortnite developer Epic Games, could cut deeply into Apple's App Store revenue, according to the reports.
Although Apple allowed external payment links, it still charged a 27% fee, which the judge said was an attempt to evade the original order, the reports said.
Meanwhile, Apple told Bloomberg it will comply with the court's order but plans to appeal the ruling.
Apple did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.
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