

Epic argued the relevant market was iOS games, for which Apple has obvious monopoly power. The definition of the " relevant market" is critical for determining whether there's been an antitrust violation. Thomas, argued for sending the case back to the district court to reevaluate the relevant market. The two of the three judges held those errors were harmless, while the third, Judge Sidney R. The reason to do so is that the appeals panel found "the district court erred as a matter of law in defining the relevant antitrust market and in holding that a non-negotiated contract of adhesion, such as the, falls outside the scope of Sherman Act."
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Epic has the option to seek an en banc hearing – by the full Ninth Circuit rather than just a three judge appellate panel. Those steps may include implementing buttons to direct app users to external payment systems, but there's also the possibility of an appeal.

"Fortunately, the court's positive decision rejecting Apple's anti-steering provisions frees iOS developers to send consumers to the web to do business with them directly there. "Though the court upheld the ruling that Apple's restraints have 'a substantial anticompetitive effect that harms consumers', they found we didn't prove our Sherman Act case. "Apple prevailed at the 9th Circuit Court," said Epic CEO Tim Sweeney via Twitter. Had Epic won, Apple could have lost much of its ability to control the apps in its online store. It rejected Epic's claim that Apple's App Store Review Guidelines violate America's rules against monopoly abuse, known as the Sherman Antitrust Act. The lower court sided with Apple on the other issue raised by Epic. Europe trims Apple App Store probe after deciding in-app payments not a problem.Apple sued by French media over App Store power.
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Googler demolishes one of Apple's monopoly defenses – that web apps are just as good as native iOS software.Why UK watchdog abandoned its Apple monopoly probe.Apple did not respond to a request for comment. It's speculated Apple may demand a cut from sales made via these outside payment systems, as it did in the Netherlands with dating apps, or impose some other costs to make up for a drop in App Store commission.
