Apple to seek stay, appeal Australian ruling opening iOS to rival app stores
In brief
- Apple plans to seek a stay and appeal an Australian federal court ruling, Crypto Briefing reported.
- iOS must open to rival app stores and alternative payment systems under the ruling.
- Fortnite must also be readmitted to Apple's Australian App Store under the order.
- Apple misused market power in violation of Australia's competition law, the court found.
What the court ordered
The ruling has two pieces. The first requires Apple to open its iOS platform to rival app stores and alternative payment systems. The second is narrower (and more pointed): Apple has to readmit the game Fortnite to its Australian App Store.
Why did the court go this far? According to Crypto Briefing's report, the court found that Apple misused market power in violation of Australia's competition law. The order stems from that finding, and it's the backdrop to everything Apple does next.
Apple's next move
Apple's response is to seek a stay and appeal the decision, as reported by Crypto Briefing. The company hasn't been quoted directly, and the report doesn't include statement text from Apple, so there's no detail here on the grounds Apple plans to argue.
A stay request isn't a stay.
The report doesn't say whether any court has acted on Apple's request. Crypto Briefing did write that the legal challenge is expected to delay implementation of the order while the appeal proceeds, but that's the publisher's expectation rather than a ruling, and it shouldn't be read as the order being paused.
What Crypto Briefing is watching
Crypto Briefing added its own commentary on the business side. It said the outcome of the appeal could influence investor sentiment and stock performance, a view it didn't attribute to any named analyst or source. It also said any Apple announcements about adjusting its business model to comply with potential regulatory changes would be significant.
Neither of those points comes from the court or from Apple. They're the publisher's read on what matters, and they don't say anything about how the appeal will turn out.
For now, this is a legal process: a stay sought, an appeal to follow, and an order built on a finding that Apple misused its market power in Australia (one Apple is now taking back to court).
Frequently asked questions
Why did the Australian court rule against Apple?
The court found that Apple misused market power in violation of Australia's competition law, according to Crypto Briefing. The order requiring Apple to open iOS to rival app stores and alternative payment systems stems from that finding.
What does the court ruling require Apple to do?
The ruling requires Apple to open its iOS platform to rival app stores and alternative payment systems. It also requires Apple to readmit the game Fortnite to its Australian App Store, Crypto Briefing reported.
