Apple has formally appealed a substantial antitrust fine of approximately $2 billion imposed by a UK court. The technology giant’s appeal, filed with the UK’s Court of Appeal, follows a ruling from the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) that determined Apple had engaged in anticompetitive practices related to its App Store. This ruling, issued in October, concluded that Apple exploited its dominant position in the market to impose higher fees on developers and users.
The CAT’s decision mandated a fine of £1.5 billion, which translates to around $2 billion, affecting UK App Store users who made purchases between 2015 and 2024. In its appeal, Apple contends that the tribunal holds a “flawed view of the thriving and competitive app economy,” and it seeks to challenge the CAT’s assessment of the appropriate developer fee rate. The tribunal proposed a fee range of between 15 and 20 percent, deviating from Apple’s established rate of 30 percent.
Despite the CAT not granting Apple the opportunity to appeal, the company is now pursuing a higher court’s review of the case. Apple has yet to issue an official statement regarding this latest appeal application, but it is expected to argue against the tribunal’s proposed fee structure, which it claims was reached through “informed guesswork.”
If the fine remains in place, it would be distributed among eligible App Store users in the UK who made purchases during the specified timeframe, as reported by The Guardian. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Apple’s operations in the UK and the broader app economy, influencing how fees are structured and potentially reshaping market dynamics in the region.
As the appeal progresses, industry observers will be keenly watching for Apple’s arguments and the court’s response. The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of Apple’s business practices and raises questions about competition in the digital marketplace.
