Apple and Epic Games have been embroiled in a legal dispute since 2020, centering on the App Store’s payment policies and commission structures. The conflict began when Epic Games introduced a direct payment option in its popular game, Fortnite, bypassing Apple’s in-app purchase system. This move led to Fortnite’s removal from the App Store and prompted Epic to file a lawsuit against Apple, alleging anti-competitive practices.
Initial Court Rulings and Appeals
In 2021, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple must allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods outside the App Store. Apple responded by implementing a 27% commission on purchases made through these external links within seven days, a move that Epic Games contested as undermining the court’s intent. In April 2025, Judge Rogers found Apple in contempt for not fully complying with the original injunction and expanded the restrictions on Apple’s App Store practices. Apple has since appealed this decision, arguing that the judge overstepped her authority. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/apple-asks-us-appeals-court-lift-app-store-restrictions-epic-games-case-2025-10-21/?utm_source=openai))
Recent Developments
On October 21, 2025, Apple appeared before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn Judge Rogers’ expanded injunction. Apple’s attorney, Gregory Garre, contended that the judge exceeded her authority by broadening the restrictions and wrongly found Apple in contempt. Garre emphasized that Apple is entitled to compensation for developers’ access to its innovations and user base. Epic’s attorney, Gary Bornstein, argued that Apple should not be allowed to justify new commission terms after allegedly misleading the court. A decision from the appeals court is expected by early next year, with the possibility of the case reaching the U.S. Supreme Court. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/legal/transactional/apple-asks-us-appeals-court-lift-app-store-restrictions-epic-games-case-2025-10-21/?utm_source=openai))
Global Implications
The Apple-Epic Games dispute has garnered international attention, influencing regulatory scrutiny of Apple’s App Store practices worldwide. In China, a group of 55 iPhone and iPad users filed an antitrust complaint against Apple, alleging that the company abuses its market dominance by restricting app distribution and imposing high commissions. This complaint highlights the global impact of the ongoing legal battles and the growing demand for more flexible app distribution and payment options. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/china-consumers-file-antitrust-complaint-against-apple-over-app-store-practices-2025-10-20/?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion
The legal confrontation between Apple and Epic Games underscores the broader debate over app store policies, developer rights, and fair competition in the digital marketplace. As the case progresses through the appeals process, its outcome could have significant implications for app developers, consumers, and the tech industry at large.
