Apple asks court to stay order requiring it to open App Store

As Apple declared the outcome of its legal battle with Epic Games a “resounding victory” it was not complete. Federal judge in case ordered Apple to allow developers to connect to third-party payment portals in the App Store by December 9, a deadline the company seems to have been pushing back for a long time.

Apple filed a notice of appeal in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, seeking to overthrow a Decision of September 10 which largely ruled in its favor in everything except the App Store judgment. Until the appeals are resolved, the company too requested a stay, or suspension, of the injunction ordered by the federal judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers which obliges him to connect to external payment systems. Rival Epic had previously appealed the decision of September 12.

If the court approves the suspension, adding alternative payment options to the App Store could be delayed for several years while companies compete in court. Allow developers to connect to third-party payment portals – via “buttons, external links or other calls to action” – would allow them to avoid forking between 15% and 30% of their income to Apple, a commission colloquially known as “Tax on apples”.

Considering that Apple never wanted to include other payment options in the App Store in the first place, a requirement that would affect its bottom line, its Friday legal action is another attempt to achieve its ends.

In its stay motion, Apple argued that implementing the court’s requirement in the App Store would harm both the business and customers.

“[P]precipitate implementing this aspect of the injunction would upset the careful balance between developers and customers provided by the App Store, and irreparably harm both Apple and consumers, ”Apple said. “The requested suspension will allow Apple to protect consumers and safeguard its platform as the company resolves the complex and rapidly evolving legal, technological and economic issues that any revision of this directive would involve.”

Regarding Epic, Apple maintains that the developer would not be affected by the requested stay since it is Banned from the App Store anyway until all disputes are over.

In typical Epic fashion, CEO Tim Sweeney commented on Apple’s appeal by tweeting a photo of Fortnite character Peely the Banana in her “Agent Peely” outfit, a reference to Apple’s decision to show off a tuxedodressed Peely in court for reasons of decorum.

“Apple has filed a peel”, Sweeney wrote.

Sweeney then blasted Apple’s claim that “links and buttons to other payment mechanisms carry many risks ”because the company cannot guarantee the security of the third-party platform.

“But seriously, guys’ buttons are really dangerous, as Apple explains. Some buttons are big and red. Some buttons launch nuclear missiles. If software is allowed to include buttons, it could possibly explode iPhones and kill you, or worse, void your warranty, ” he added.