Apple appeals verdict in App Store battle with Epic

US tech company Apple has appealed a federal judge’s ruling in its legal battle with video game and software developer Epic Games for control of the App Store.

She seeks to overturn a ruling ordering her to take control of payment options in the store.

Last month, Epic filed an appeal against the finding that it failed to prove any antitrust violations by Apple.

« We will fight back, » Epic CEO Tim Sweeney wrote on Twitter when the company confirmed its plan to appeal the ruling.

Apple said in the days following the 185-page ruling by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco it was « extremely pleased » with the decision but left the appeal open.

The companies have opted for a so-called bench trial where a judge rather than a jury hears the evidence and decides on the verdict.

Epic launched the case with the aim of breaking Apple’s grip on the App Store, accusing the iPhone maker of acting as a monopoly in its store of digital goods or services.

Carolina Milanesi, an analyst at Creative Strategies, said after the ruling: « For me, it’s a win for Apple because the judge clearly said they’re not engaging in monopolistic behavior.

« I don’t think it’s a problem for Apple from a revenue perspective. »

The judge prevented Apple from preventing developers from including « external links or other calls to action that direct customers to purchasing mechanisms » in their apps.

Apple can still force the use of its payment systems for in-app transactions.