Apple and Epic Games have established a detailed pre-court schedule for negotiating new App Store commission rates, following the Supreme Court's May 6 rejection of Apple's stay request. The joint filing with the Northern District of California outlines a multi-phase process that could extend five months before any court action.

Under the agreed timeline, Apple receives 45 days to submit a proffer proposing commissions for linked-out purchases, capped at 30 pages. After document exchanges and a meeting between the parties, Epic has 60 days to file its response, which could challenge Apple's proposal. The schedule allows both sides to present evidence supporting their positions before judicial review.

This legal battle began six years ago when Epic enabled third-party payments in Fortnite, leading to court findings against Apple's anti-steering measures. Despite Apple's claimed compliance, a recent court decision labeled the company's response a "gross miscalculation." The outcome will reshape how developers direct users to external payment options, potentially reducing Apple's 30% commission on out-of-app purchases.

The structured negotiation process reflects both parties' desire to avoid prolonged litigation while addressing the fundamental dispute over App Store control and developer freedom.