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Judge Dismisses Musi Suit, Affirms Apple’s Right to Delist Apps ‘With or Without Cause’

The decision rests on Apple’s developer agreement that permits App Store removals at any time.

Overview

  • U.S. District Judge Eumi Lee in the Northern District of California dismissed Musi’s 2024 lawsuit with prejudice, concluding Apple did not breach its contract after providing notice.
  • The court found the Apple Developer Program License Agreement clearly allows Apple to stop offering an app at any time, with or without cause.
  • Judge Lee partly granted Apple’s Rule 11 motion, sanctioning Musi’s law firm for unsupported bad‑faith claims and ordering payment of Apple’s fees related to the sanctions motion.
  • Musi’s free app streamed audio from YouTube and was removed in 2024 after complaints from YouTube and music‑rights groups over terms-of-service and intellectual property concerns.
  • Analysts say the ruling strengthens Apple’s position in future delisting disputes, and Musi may appeal even though it cannot refile the same claims.