FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CUPERTINO, Calif. — Apple today announced the Court Ruling Facilitation Program, a new framework under which Apple will collect a standard 30% commission on any monetary judgment, settlement, fine, or sanction issued against it by a court of competent jurisdiction. The Apple 30% commission applies to all rulings delivered on or through Apple property, including any courtroom in which an Apple device is present, powered on, or asleep in a bailiff’s pocket.
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“For over fifteen years, Apple has invested billions in the discovery, litigation, and distribution ecosystem that makes an adverse verdict against Apple possible,” said Corinne Vashti, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services and Adjacent Revenue. “Plaintiffs benefit enormously from that infrastructure. We think 70% is an extraordinarily generous split, and frankly, most of them are getting the deal of a lifetime.”
Under the program, damages will be assessed at the moment of ruling and remitted to Apple within 45 days, less applicable currency conversion charges. Judgments awarded in punitive damages are considered a premium tier and are subject to an additional 3% Enhanced Verdict Delivery fee.
Small Litigant Program
Recognizing that not every plaintiff is a sovereign nation, Apple is introducing a reduced 15% rate for individuals and small classes who have collected less than $1 million in damages from Apple in the preceding twelve months. Participants must apply annually, agree not to disclose the existence of the reduced rate, and must not inform the court that other courts exist.
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Apple’s anti-steering guidelines remain in effect. Plaintiffs may not link to, mention, or gesture toward alternative venues, external arbitration, the European Commission, or, in the company’s words, “any other place where a person might go to be told they are correct.” Attorneys who reference outside jurisdictions in open court will have their briefs removed from consideration and their firm’s certificate revoked.
The company clarified that the commission is not a penalty and should not be characterized as one. “A penalty implies wrongdoing,” Vashti said. “This is a service charge. We are being paid to be found liable, which is a service we perform at industry-leading quality.”
Apple noted that the program will roll out first in the United States, followed by the European Union pending a ruling that Apple looks forward to monetizing.
About Apple
Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984, and today leads the world in innovation across hardware, software, services, and the recovery of its own losses.
Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains projections regarding future litigation Apple intends to lose profitably. Actual results may exceed expectations.
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