Apple received a one-day stay from Justice Elena Kagan, extending its time to submit fee proposals in the Epic Games dispute. This follows a denied stay by the Northern District of California court, which had given Apple 24 hours to propose fees. The 24-hour extension allows Apple until Thursday 5:00 p.m. ET to outline its stance. Kagan previously denied a similar request, indicating strategic timing.

The case stems from Epic Games' 2020 lawsuit, where Apple was ordered to allow non-App Store payment links but faced contempt for near-identical fees. An appeals court upheld the contempt ruling, mandating 'reasonable fees' for intellectual property. Apple now seeks to overturn this, arguing global regulators are watching for precedent. Currently, Apple avoids collecting fees since April 2025 to prevent a court-imposed rate.

Apple’s appeal hinges on nullifying the contempt ruling and fee obligations. If successful, fee proceedings may cease. However, regulators’ focus on U.S. court decisions complicates this. The company prefers no fees over a mandated rate, emphasizing its appeal strategy.

The dispute reflects broader tensions over app store neutrality. While Apple complies with anti-steering rules, its fee structure remains contentious. The outcome could reshape global app store regulations, impacting developers and competitors alike.