A recent court ruling has dealt a significant blow to Apple, concluding that the technology giant violated an injunction previously ordered in 2021. The court characterized Apple’s behavior as a blatant cover-up regarding compliance with this injunction.

Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney has engaged in an ongoing battle with Apple over the right to use its own payment system for Fortnite on iOS, evading Apple’s hefty 30% commission. While Epic’s 2021 trial did not fully favor them, the court’s recent ruling grants developers the ability to guide users toward external payment options, free from Apple interference.

Sweeney has pointed out that Apple has failed to comply with the court’s directives and has presented new evidence that led the court to side with him. The judge stated, “Apple’s response to the Injunction strains credulity. After several evidentiary hearings, it emerged that Apple not only knew of its obligations but actively obstructed compliance to safeguard its revenue.”

In its defense, Apple announced, “We strongly disagree with the decision and plan to appeal while also committing to comply with court orders.” However, instead of addressing the injunction directly, Apple imposed a 27% commission on any external payments, accompanied by warning screens cautioning users against using external payment systems.

The case took a significant turn when the judge expressed doubts about Apple’s veracity in its claims, citing Alex Roman, Apple’s VP of Finance, for making false statements under oath—a finding that has prompted the court to refer the matter for potential criminal investigation.

With this ruling, Apple faces additional restrictions unless it successfully appeals; developers are set to gain freedom from Apple’s fees for in-app purchases on iOS, not only benefiting Epic but also any app developer.

Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers emphasized, “This is an injunction, not a negotiation. There are no second chances when a party willfully ignores a court order. The court will not consent to further postponements or acts obstructing competition. Effective immediately, Apple will cease to deter developers from communicating with their users regarding payment options outside of the app.”

Sweeney has indicated that after this victory, Epic is prepared to return Fortnite to the iOS App Store next week, provided Apple maintains its current commission-free structure globally.