Apple Inc. is hoping to delay making the most significant change to its App Store business model since the platform was launched in 2008, an overhaul that could cost the tech giant a few billion dollars annually.
The iPhone-maker gave notice Friday that will appeal a judge’s ruling in its fight with Epic Games Inc. ordering the Cupertino, California-based company to stop blocking developers from letting users complete in-app purchases on the web. It also asked the judge to put her Dec. 9 deadline for App Store rule changes on hold during the appeal, which if allowed could keep business as usual for Apple for at least a year.
The Sept. 10 ruling largely vindicated Apple’s business model that charges commissions on developers for App Store transactions, but the judge said Apple must allow direct communication between users and app-makers and permit links to the web to complete transactions.