Home / Technology / Supreme Court Joins Apple vs. Epic App Store Battle
Supreme Court Joins Apple vs. Epic App Store Battle
30 Jun
Summary
- Supreme Court will hear Apple's appeal on contempt finding.
- Case involves Apple's App Store rules and Epic Games' lawsuit.
- Contempt ruling concerns Apple's compliance with injunction.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear Apple's appeal concerning a contempt ruling in its ongoing dispute with Epic Games over App Store policies. This decision stems from a 2020 lawsuit filed by Epic challenging Apple's control over app transactions and distribution on iOS devices. A U.S. District Judge found Apple in civil contempt for violating an injunction that required developers to inform users about non-Apple payment options.
Apple was ordered in 2021 to permit such links but implemented new restrictions, including a 27% commission on purchases made outside the App Store within seven days. Epic argued this violated the earlier injunction, leading to the contempt finding in 2025. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the contempt finding but allowed Apple to present new arguments on commission rates. The Supreme Court's involvement is expected to clarify significant legal issues affecting app purchases globally, with arguments anticipated in October.
