Apple has lost a landmark lawsuit over fees in the App Store, which could benefit around 36 million iPhone and iPad users in the UK.
The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that the US tech company abused its dominant position by “charging excessive and unfair prices in the form of the commission which it charges developers”.
Lawyers for Dr Rachael Kent, the academic who brought the case, claim Apple had made “exorbitant profits” by excluding all competition for the distribution of apps and in-app purchases.
It is argued Apple should pay around £1.5bn in damages for purchases made over the last 10 years.
Apple – which has faced mounting pressure from regulators in the US and Europe over the fees it charges developers – says it will appeal.
Developers are typically charged 30% commission and are blocked from routing payments through any platform other than Apple’s App Store.
The tribunal said calculations about compensation will be argued at a hearing next month.
