The legal battle between Apple and Epic heats up again as Supreme Court looms

Fortnite Chapter 4
(Image credit: Epic Games)

Apple has asked the Supreme Court to overturn a ruling made two years ago involving Fortnite parent company Epic Games. 

The iPhone and Mac manufacturer has issued a new court filing to the US Supreme Court to overrule a decision made in the legal case between Epic Games regarding in-app purchases made within Fortnite in 2021 (via Gamesindustry.biz). The two-year-old ruling sided mainly in Apple's favor in which nine of 10 cases were rejected in the original anti-competitive lawsuit from 2020. 

That one case won became a court order that said that Apple could no longer stop developers on its iOS platform from providing links or buttons in apps and games to websites outside of its store. This means that the decision ultimately gave third-party game developers a way to circumvent the 30% tax Apple has placed on purchases made on its platform (via Reuters). Now, Apple wants the case re-opened to the highest authority in the United States. However, this will also allow Epic Games to appeal, too. 

Both Apple and Epic Games have since attempted to appeal the 2021 decision made at the US Ninth Circuit of Appeals. However, this was rejected, leading to the Supreme Court filing on the cards. It's a lengthy legal battle that has raged for over three years, but now there could finally be some resolution. 

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Aleksha McLoughlin
Contributor

Formerly TechRadar Gaming's Hardware Editor, Aleksha McLoughlin is now a freelance writer and editor specializing in computing tech, video games, and E-commerce. As well as her many contributions to this site, you'll also find her work available on sister sites such as PC Gamer, GamesRadar, and Android Central. Additionally, more of her bylines can be found on Trusted Reviews, Dexerto, Expert Reviews, Techopedia, PC Guide, VideoGamer, and more.