Apple is making a final attempt to convince the Supreme Court to reverse a ruling that would require the company to open its App Store to third-party payments. In a petition filed with the court, Apple argues that the lower court’s injunction is unconstitutional and excessively broad. This move comes amidst an ongoing feud between Apple and Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite. If the Supreme Court decides to take up the case, it could have far-reaching implications for all developers.
The core issue at stake is Apple’s “anti-steering” policy, which prohibits app developers from offering links to alternate payment options or informing customers about cheaper rates available outside the App Store. This policy has faced criticism for limiting competition and giving Apple strict control over in-app payments. Epic Games brought this issue to the forefront of its antitrust lawsuit against Apple in 2020, and the judge ruled in Epic’s favor in 2021. However, Apple has been fighting against this ruling for the past two years.
In addition to Apple’s legal efforts, Epic Games has also requested the Supreme Court to reconsider part of the lower court’s ruling in its own bid to keep its antitrust claims against Apple alive. The outcome of these petitions could have significant consequences for the future of app development and the App Store’s business model.