According to MacRumors, Apple has applied to the UK Court of Appeal to overturn a £1.5 billion (roughly $1.76 billion) antitrust ruling from the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT). The October 2024 ruling found that Apple abused its dominant position by charging excessive commissions—up to 30%—on App Store purchases between 2015 and 2024, overcharging an estimated 36 million British consumers. The tribunal estimated that fairer rates would have been around 17.5% for app sales and 10% for in-app purchases, calling its own calculation “informed guesswork.” Apple sought permission to appeal from the CAT in November, but was refused, leading to this direct application to the higher court. The company argues the ruling takes a flawed view of the competitive app economy and notes most developers now pay a reduced 15% rate.
The Uphill Battle of This Appeal
So, Apple‘s not going down without a fight. But here’s the thing: the fact that the lower tribunal already refused them permission to appeal is a pretty big signal. It means the CAT judges looked at Apple’s arguments and basically said, “Nope, not strong enough to even warrant a second look from us.” Now the Court of Appeal has to decide if there’s a legitimate legal error or a point of principle important enough to hear the case. Apple’s core defense is familiar: the App Store isn’t a monopoly because it competes with the entire digital economy, and its fees pay for security, privacy, and a trusted marketplace. The tribunal, however, saw it differently—they looked at Apple’s total control over iOS app distribution and said, “Yeah, that’s dominance, and you used it to charge more than you could have in a competitive market.” It’s a classic clash of regulatory philosophy versus platform power.
The Broader Market Ripples
This isn’t just about £1.5 billion. It’s about the blueprint. Regulators and class-action lawyers everywhere are watching. If this ruling stands in a major market like the UK, it sets a precedent that Apple’s commission structure is inherently excessive and caused widespread consumer harm. That’s a powerful weapon for other jurisdictions. Think about it: similar cases could pop up across Europe and beyond. The winners, in the long run, would be developers and consumers if fee pressure forces Apple’s hand globally. The losers? Well, Apple’s services revenue, for one, which has become a critical financial pillar. But also, maybe, the integrated model Apple champions. If courts keep saying “17.5% is enough,” the entire economic justification for a walled garden gets questioned. Apple will argue that lower fees mean less investment in safety and innovation. Is that true? Or is it just protecting a fantastically profitable margin?
What Happens to Users (and the Money)
For the 36 million UK users potentially in line for a payout, don’t plan that shopping spree just yet. This appeal will take time—likely years. And if Apple ultimately loses, the individual amounts will be small. We’re talking maybe a few pounds per person, depending on how much they spent. But collectively, it’s a massive sting for Apple and a symbolic victory. The real impact is behavioral. Apple has already been slowly lowering fees and creating new programs for small developers, partly due to global pressure. A ruling like this accelerates that trend. It tells every other app store platform—Google, for sure—that the 30% “standard” is under siege. The market is already shifting, but legal defeats like this one could turn a slow drip into a flood.
