The ruling stems from a case launched in 2017 by French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, who accused the US tech giant of imposing prices on French startups who want to sell their apps on the company's platform.

The complaint also said that Apple took data from developers and could unilaterally modify contracts.

According to the ruling, the Paris commercial court considered there to be "significant disequilibrium" and "considerable legal and economic insecurity" due to the developers' impossibility to renegotiate the terms of their contract or contest the suspension of their app.

However, the court rejected five of the 11 complaints, including the requirement to exclusively use Apple's payment system or the 30% commission, which the judge said was not excessive and was common in both physical and online commerce.

The court did not order modifications in certain contested clauses but did point Apple to the EU's new digital market regulations, which will force the company to modify its contracts throughout Europe to the benefit of app developers.

Apple told AFP that it would examine the ruling in detail and would continue to support developers while offering a safe platform for consumers.

'Markets where innovation can blossom'

"Apple believes in dynamic and competitive markets where innovation can blossom," the company said.

Google, which was targeted by a similar complaint, was ordered in March to pay a penalty of €2 million and modify seven contractual clauses.

Under pressure to justify the commissions they impose on developers worldwide, the two US tech titans cut them in half for small developers and introduced more flexibility in setting app prices. 

The new EU regulations could also force Apple to allow the use of alternatives to its App Store to buy apps, as well as alternative payment systems.

AFP