The Supreme Court agreed to hear Apple's appeal of a contempt ruling in its long-running legal battle with Epic Games over App Store payment policies. The dispute, spanning nearly seven years, centers on whether developers can direct users to third-party payment systems without paying Apple commissions. Justices will consider the case in their October term, with a decision expected by June 2027.

District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple in contempt in April 2025 after determining the company failed to comply with a 2021 order requiring alternative payment options. Instead of allowing free bypass of Apple's fees, the company imposed a 27 percent commission on developers using external payment links, which Epic called 'malicious compliance.'

An appeals court largely upheld the contempt ruling in December 2025, though it removed restrictions on charging commissions entirely. This leaves Apple able to present new arguments about permissible fee structures. The Supreme Court previously declined both companies' appeals in 2024, and Justice Elena Kagan denied a stay request last month.

Epic frames this as a fight against anticompetitive practices, stating lower courts correctly ruled Apple's fees illegal. The outcome could reshape how app stores handle developer payments and commissions nationwide, affecting billions in revenue for platform operators.