TL;DR
Apple has applied to the UK Court of Appeal to overturn a Competition Appeal Tribunal decision that found it charged excessive App Store commissions. The case, brought on behalf of some 36 million UK users, seeks compensation tied to sales from October 2015 through 2020.
What happened
In October, the UK’s Competition Appeal Tribunal concluded that Apple abused its dominant position in the iOS app distribution market by imposing what the tribunal described as excessive and unfair commission rates. The claim was advanced by Dr Rachael Kent on behalf of roughly 36 million British customers and covers App Store transactions from October 2015 until the end of 2020. Apple responded by saying it would seek to challenge the ruling; on December 29 it formally asked the Court of Appeal to overturn the £1.5 billion damages decision. This is not the only proceeding: the appeal is one element of a broader wave of collective claims against platform owners, with class actions involving both Apple and Google seeking more than £6 billion in combined compensation. Apple previously made an appeal bid that was rejected last November and is now pursuing a second attempt to secure permission to take the matter higher.
Why it matters
- A successful appeal could negate or reduce the £1.5 billion award and alter compensation prospects for millions of UK users.
- The tribunal’s original finding challenges core App Store practices and could influence how major platforms set commission policies.
- The case is part of a wider set of opt-out class actions against dominant tech firms, raising the stakes for platform regulation and developer revenues.
- A final outcome may set precedent for competition enforcement in digital marketplaces across the UK and possibly beyond.
Key facts
- The Competition Appeal Tribunal found Apple abused its dominant position and charged excessive commissions from Oct 2015 through end of 2020.
- The claim was filed on behalf of about 36 million UK customers by Dr Rachael Kent, a senior lecturer at King’s College London.
- The tribunal awarded £1.5 billion in damages tied to the App Store commissions ruling.
- Apple has applied to the Court of Appeal to overturn the CAT decision; this is a second appeal attempt after an earlier bid was rejected in November.
- The appeal is part of a broader set of class actions against Apple and Google that together seek over £6 billion in compensation.
- The class actions use an opt-out mechanism, which allows large numbers of consumers to be represented without individual opt-in steps.
- The CAT concluded Apple’s conduct included shutting out competition in app distribution and imposing unfair prices as commission.
What to watch next
- Whether the Court of Appeal grants Apple permission to proceed with the appeal.
- The Court of Appeal’s final decision and any changes it may order to the damages award.
- Potential settlements or further litigation phases involving related class actions — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT): A specialized UK judicial body that hears complex competition, economic regulatory and consumer law disputes.
- Class action: A legal procedure allowing a group of people with similar claims to sue a defendant collectively.
- Opt-out system: A class action mechanism where members are automatically included unless they explicitly remove themselves.
- App Store commission: A fee charged by a platform operator on purchases or in-app transactions processed through its app marketplace.
- Court of Appeal: A higher court that reviews decisions made by lower courts or tribunals for legal errors or procedural issues.
Reader FAQ
Who brought the case against Apple?
The claim was filed by Dr Rachael Kent on behalf of around 36 million UK customers.
What period does the ruling cover?
The tribunal’s finding covers App Store sales from October 2015 until the end of 2020.
How much was the damages award?
The tribunal awarded £1.5 billion in damages tied to the ruling.
Will Apple have to pay while it appeals?
not confirmed in the source
Does this affect users outside the UK?
not confirmed in the source
Here are six exciting Apple product launches to look forward to in 2026 Michael Burkhardt Dec 27 2025 AAPL COMPANY APP STORE Apple files appeal in £1.5 billion case over…
Sources
- Apple files appeal in £1.5 billion case over App Store fees in the UK
- Apple appeals against £1.5bn court ruling it overcharged …
- Millions of UK Apple users could get pay-out after court ruling
- Apple loses UK antitrust lawsuit over App Store fees
Related posts
- CardPointers revamp for iOS 26 brings AI, Liquid Glass, 50% discount
- Nielsen’s top 10 most-watched shows of 2025, including an Apple TV hit
- CUII list: Domains reportedly blocked by German internet providers