Apple Can Delay App Store Changes as It Takes Epic Games Case to Supreme Court

The latest development on the supposed changes on the App Store is now seeing an appeal from Apple. This delays the court mandate that asks the company to undo its "anti-steering" rules and allow outside developers to link to third-party payment channels.

Apple vs. Epic Games was one of the most significant lawsuits against the Cupertino company's App Store policies, particularly for its 30 percent commission on every purchase. Several companies and executives, including Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney, denounced Apple's policy.

However, it is now getting more leeway after Apple was granted a motion putting a hold on the appeals court ruling that would make the company its rules against directing customers to third-party payment options. The directive will stay 90 days so Apple can file its request to the Supreme Court to take up the case.

Apple Appeals App Store Changes, Gets More Time Before its Effect

The Verge reported that Apple received good news for its looming requirements to change its App Store policies, and this was because of a district court that delayed it for now.

Apple was able to get a motion to suspend the appeals court ruling, which would allow companies to enable third-party payment channels for in-app purchases, despite being listed on the App Store. That means Apple is not compelled to change anything right now, and the company would still receive 30 percent from the 70-30 split on all purchases.

Despite the district court not finding that Apple had not generally violated antitrust law, it still ordered the company to drop rules against letting developers include "calls to action" for outside payment channels.

Supreme Court Needs to Hear Apple's Appeal on the App Store

According to 9to5 Mac, Apple has already filed an appeal to the Supreme Court to reverse Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers' ruling in the case against Epic Games. The district judge ordered Apple to make several changes to the App Store rules.

Of course, the Supreme Court filing was not pleasant news for Epic Games. The company's lawyers argued Apple's claims "have no prospect of Supreme Court review" and that it had no choice but to rely on arguments that were "so weak that it previously only mentioned them barely, or not at all," The Verge reported.

Sweeney tweeted: "Justice delayed, again" in response to the stay.

Apple's App Store Commission Rate

Apple has been called many names by companies that protested against its App Store commission rates, saying that it breached antitrust law and a capitalist move. The company heard significant words from the likes of Twitter owner Elon Musk and Spotify CEO Daniel Elk, all siding with Epic and Sweeney.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has also disagreed with Apple App Store's 30 percent commission rate for developers. This is the one thing he has in common with "Chief Twit."

These executives, along with other developers of both mainstream and indie apps, have all spoken against Apple's rates, pleading to allow developers to sell in-app content using third-party platforms, even when those apps are distributed through the App Store.

When Epic Games won the case regarding the App Store's changes, many thought it was the end of the issue and a new beginning for developers and companies that use the Apple platform.

However, it is not yet over, as Apple's appeal now allows them to delay the changes, at least for the time being, until the Supreme Court hears what the company has to say.