Apple plans to take its legal fight with Epic Games to the U.S. Supreme Court after a fresh setback in lower courts. The company has filed a motion that signals its intent to challenge recent rulings related to its App Store policies.
A few days ago, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected Apple’s request to revisit a decision that favored Epic Games. Apple had asked for both a rehearing and a review by a larger panel of judges. The court denied both requests, leaving Apple with limited options.
The dispute centers on how Apple handles payments outside its App Store. Apple argued that the ruling created confusion about what fees it can charge developers when users make purchases through external links.
The case goes back to a 2021 court order that required Apple to allow developers to direct users to external payment options. Later, the court found Apple in violation of that order. It ruled that Apple’s 27 percent fee on external purchases weakened the intent of the decision and required broader changes.
TechCrunch reports that Apple has now asked the Supreme Court to review the scope of this ruling. The company argues that the court applied the decision too broadly by extending it to all developers instead of limiting it to Epic Games.
Apple has also requested a stay to pause changes to its App Store policies while the Supreme Court decides whether to hear the case.
TechCrunch reports that Epic Games spokesperson Natalie Munoz said, “another delay tactic to prevent the court from establishing significant and permanent bounds on Apple’s ability to charge junk fees on third-party payments.”
She added, “Courts have time and time again found this to be illegal. […] Epic has heard this directly from many developers… We will keep standing up to Apple’s attempts to undermine competition.”
The Supreme Court has not yet decided whether it will take up the case.
