AAPL · News · 20260922N

Litigation - Epic Games Dispute

Apple Inc. · 2026-09-22 · Importance 39 · Surprise 42 · In source text

The U.S. Department of Justice and other groups filed briefs urging the Supreme Court to reverse part of a civil contempt ruling against Apple in its dispute with Epic Games. The briefs argue that Apple’s 27% commission on external transactions was not explicitly prohibited by the original injunction. The DOJ nevertheless supports the contempt finding concerning Apple’s restriction on using “plain buttons” for external links, leaving potential implications for App Store commission practices and Services monetization.

Key facts

• The U.S. government and several legal and business groups filed briefs urging the Supreme Court to reverse part of a civil contempt ruling against Apple, arguing Apple's 27% commission on external transactions was not explicitly prohibited by the original injunction. source
• The U.S. Department of Justice filed a brief at the Supreme Court urging reversal or narrowing of a civil contempt ruling against Apple in its dispute with Epic Games, arguing contempt should only apply when conduct is clearly forbidden by an injunction's express terms. source
• The Department of Justice agrees with the contempt ruling as to Apple's restriction on 'plain buttons' for external links in the Epic Games case. source

Impact estimates