Apple has requested a stay from the Supreme Court to pause proceedings in the Circuit Courts regarding its ongoing battle with Epic Games. The tech giant wants to avoid fighting on two fronts while pursuing its case with the highest court. Apple's control of the App Store remains central to this legal saga that began in 2020 when Epic first filed its lawsuit challenging Apple's commission policies.

Apple previously secured a stay from the Circuit Court that would have prevented it from having to reconvene with Epic to determine a new commission rate for external purchases. However, that stay was overturned after Epic complained. The company now argues it needs to resolve its Supreme Court case before facing potential contempt proceedings in lower courts over its commission implementation.

The legal battle centers on Apple's right to charge commissions on purchases made outside its App Store. Currently, developers link to external platforms without paying any commission due to a court order. Apple challenges both the scope of the ruling and the contempt finding, believing its new external commission system followed the letter of the law. This case could reshape the global app market regardless of the outcome.