Apple dealt blow by Supreme Court in long-running antitrust feud against ‘Fortnite’ maker

The US Supreme Court Denies Apple’s Request in Epic Games Case

In a recent development, the US Supreme Court has rejected Apple’s plea to halt a judicial order that found the tech giant in violation of court-mandated changes to its App Store as part of an antitrust lawsuit filed by Epic Games, the creator of “Fortnite.”

The decision by Justice Elena Kagan on behalf of the court means that Apple will need to return to U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland, California, to discuss the commission the company can charge for certain app-related transactions, as ruled by the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals.

Apple and Epic Games have been engaged in a legal battle over the rules governing Apple’s App Store for years. The recent contempt ruling and the court-ordered obligations have brought new dimensions to the ongoing dispute.

Key Points:

• Apple’s request to block the judicial order was rejected by the US Supreme Court.
• Epic Games won a contempt order against Apple in a lawsuit aimed at challenging Apple’s control over app transactions.
• Apple was required to allow developers to include links to non-Apple payment methods following a court injunction in 2021.
• The 9th Circuit upheld a contempt finding against Apple but allowed for new arguments on commission charges for digital goods.

While Apple has denied violating the judge’s order, Epic Games maintains that Apple should not be allowed to evade the injunction, claiming it would continue to profit unfairly at the expense of consumers and developers.

This case holds significant implications for Apple’s commission rates on app purchases globally, with regulators closely monitoring the outcome of the legal battle.