Apple will file a new appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court’s decision that restricts how the company charges fees for payments made outside its App Store. The move follows a long-running legal battle with Epic Games, which accused Apple of monopolistic practices in how it operates the App Store. The Supreme Court appeal comes nearly four years after Epic first sued Apple in August 2020 over its 30% commission on in-app purchases and the inability for developers to offer alternative payment methods.
The federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in April 2025 that Apple cannot block developers from directing users to external payment systems that charge lower fees. That decision, while limited in scope, set a precedent that could weaken Apple’s control over App Store revenues. Apple argues the ruling undermines the App Store’s security model, which the company says is necessary to prevent fraud and protect users. The company’s petition to the Supreme Court emphasizes that the lower court misapplied antitrust law and ignored the platform’s role in maintaining a safe digital marketplace.
Epic Games welcomed the Ninth Circuit’s decision, calling it a step toward fairer competition. The gaming company has long argued that Apple’s policies stifle innovation and inflate costs for consumers and developers alike. Tim Sweeney, Epic’s CEO, has repeatedly stated that Apple’s control over app distribution and payment processing amounts to an illegal monopoly. The Supreme Court appeal now places the dispute at the highest judicial level in the U.S., with potential implications for how all app stores operate.
Legal experts say this appeal could take months to be accepted or rejected by the Supreme Court. If the justices agree to hear the case, arguments would likely occur in late 2025 or early 2026. A decision in Apple’s favor could restore its ability to enforce its current payment policies nationwide. A ruling against Apple would further open the App Store to alternative payment systems, potentially reshaping the economics of mobile app development.
Source: techcrunch.com