Apple Plans Supreme Court Appeal in Epic Games App Store Battle Again

In a new filing, Apple said it plans to take its case to the Supreme Court, seeking to challenge the legal standards used to hold it in contempt and convince judges that courts should not be allowed to limit the fees it can charge for its services.

Apple's move comes after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a lower court's decision that Apple's 27% fee on external payments effectively defeated the purpose of allowing them. The appeals court didn't suggest a new rate, and the issue is headed back to a lower court to decide.

The Supreme Court has already refused to hear Apple's prior appeal, which focused on a different aspect of the case. However, Apple is now seeking to challenge the legal standards used to hold it in contempt, arguing that the 27% fee is not for payment processing, but for other services, like hosting, discovery, and its software and developer tools.

Epic Games, the maker of Fortnite, has criticized Apple's motion to stay as a 'delay tactic to prevent the court from establishing significant and permanent bounds on Apple's ability to charge junk fees on third-party payments.'

The case has significant implications for how much money Apple makes from its App Store, as consumers increasingly turn to AI chatbots and agents to get things done.

The Supreme Court's decision could impact the App Store's commission rates and potentially open the door for more competition in the market.

In the meantime, Apple is seeking to pause the appeals court's ruling limiting its ability to charge for external payments, which could have significant implications for developers and consumers alike.

The case is a reminder of the ongoing battle between tech giants and regulators over issues like antitrust laws and competition in the digital economy.

• Apple's 27% fee on external payments has been criticized by Epic Games and other developers, who argue that it defeats the purpose of allowing external payments.

• The Supreme Court's decision could have significant implications for the App Store's commission rates and potentially open the door for more competition in the market.

• The case is a reminder of the ongoing battle between tech giants and regulators over issues like antitrust laws and competition in the digital economy.