Apple argues Epic lawsuit shouldn't change App Store rules for all developers
Original: Apple says Epic lawsuit shouldn’t reshape App Store rules for all developers
Why This Matters
Ruling could reshape how platform fees work across all major app stores globally
Apple petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a lower court ruling in its Epic Games lawsuit, arguing the injunction shouldn't apply to all developers like Microsoft and Spotify who weren't part of the litigation.
Apple filed a Supreme Court petition challenging the Ninth Circuit's ruling in its ongoing lawsuit with Epic Games over App Store commissions. Apple argues Epic never brought a class action and didn't prove that enjoining Apple's conduct against all developers was necessary for Epic's relief. The dispute centers on a court-ordered injunction requiring Apple to allow developers to include external payment links in apps. While Apple complied, it charged 27% fees on external payments, leading to a civil contempt order. The Ninth Circuit ruled these fees defeated the injunction's purpose. Apple contends it didn't violate the injunction's 'spirit' since it didn't explicitly prohibit fees on external purchases. Epic criticized the move as a 'Hail Mary' to delay proceedings and avoid payment competition. The legal battle has continued for over five years since Epic's 2020 lawsuit.