Apple is under massive pressure. The legal dispute with Epic Games, which seemed to have been settled long ago, has come back into focus due to new developments. And this time, it's no longer just about commercial issues, but also about potential criminal consequences. A high-ranking Apple executive is alleged to have lied under oath. The allegations are serious – up to and including a possible prison sentence. This is no longer a normal corporate dispute, but a serious legal crisis.
When you think of Apple, products like the iPhone, MacBook, or Apple Watch probably come to mind – reliable, innovative, successful. But even a global corporation like Apple can make mistakes. And when these mistakes occur in court, things get critical. That's exactly what happened now. The iPhone manufacturer is alleged to have not only violated a legally binding judgment, but also deliberately attempted to deceive the court. The judge calls this intentional misleading. This puts not only the company's reputation at stake – but also the personal freedom of a manager.
How it all began: Epic Games vs. Apple
At its core, the issue is the App Store's rules. Epic Games, known for Fortnite, had built its own payment system into its app – without Apple's consent. This allowed Epic to circumvent the 30 percent commission Apple charges for in-app purchases. Apple responded decisively: Fortnite was removed from the App Store. The case ended up in court in 2020. Apple won most of the case. The court clarified that the App Store was not a monopoly – a clear victory the company could have accepted. But there was one point where Apple lost: The court ruled that developers could use alternative payment methods without Apple earning any profit from them.
Apple's reaction: ruling ignored
Instead of implementing the ruling, Apple announced that it would also charge a commission for external payments – a 27 percent commission. This directly contradicts the court's decision. Epic Games went back to court, accusing Apple of bad faith. The presiding judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, confirmed this impression. She ordered Apple to disclose internal documents that would document the decision-making process for the new commission. Apple claimed that it would not be able to provide the requested documents in time. A second judge also expressed skepticism and suggested that Apple was lying. This raised suspicions that the company deliberately made false statements to circumvent the ruling.
The allegations against Alex Roman
It's now clear: It wasn't just about contradictory statements, but about deliberate deception. According to the court, Apple's Vice President of Finance, Alex Roman, lied under oath. He stated that Apple hadn't used any specific data to calculate the 27 percent commission. However, internal business documents show that the plan for the new fee was ready in July 2023 – not January 2024, as claimed. Roman also claimed that Apple hadn't analyzed comparable data to evaluate the costs of alternative payment services. The court found that this data was indeed used – and that Apple deliberately concealed the fact that the real costs for developers were significantly lower than the requested commission. Apple and its lawyers made no attempt to retract or correct these false statements. On the contrary: While Apple moved to strike other witness statements, they allowed Roman's false statements to stand. The court sees this as a deliberate decision to accept the lies.
Consequences: Criminal investigation underway
The judge has now referred the case to the U.S. Attorney's Office. This means that not only Apple as a company, but also Alex Roman as an individual is under criminal investigation. If convicted, he actually faces prison. Apple could also face consequences – including financial ones. In an 80-page ruling, the judge made it clear: Apple deliberately attempted to circumvent the ruling. The reaction to the court ruling was not only inappropriate, but a clear violation of the rules. And it wasn't the original behavior, but the cover-up that is now becoming a real problem. This is precisely what has transformed the matter from a civil dispute into a criminal affair (via 9to5mac ).
What needs to happen now
Apple currently has three options:
- Fully recognize and implement the judgment
- Seek a compromise with Epic
- Appeal and prolong the dispute
Only the first option seems sensible. A compromise is unlikely, and an appeal would only exacerbate the problem—especially given the ongoing criminal investigation. Apple will have to make a public statement in the near future. It would be the right moment to admit mistakes, apologize, and initiate a clear turnaround. But whether that will happen is questionable. So far, Apple has been stubborn in this case. Trying to prevent a small loss of income could ultimately prove significantly more expensive—financially and reputationally.
Apple risks more than just money
Apple has its back against the wall. A simple legal dispute over App Store rules has escalated into a full-blown scandal. By deciding to ignore a court ruling and later cover things up, Apple has put itself in this position. The accusation of lying under oath isn't just for anyone, but for a top executive. And law enforcement has long since been involved. What began as a commercial dispute is now a matter for the courts. Apple can still close this chapter – but only if the company is willing to accept responsibility. Anything else would further damage trust. And for a company that relies so heavily on its image, that would be at least as dangerous as a court case. (Image: Shutterstock / Deo Tree)
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