9th Circuit denies Apple’s rehearing requests in Epic Games case
9to5Mac • • technology
Key Points:
- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has unanimously denied Apple’s petitions for rehearing in its legal battle against Epic Games, rejecting both the panel and en banc rehearing requests.
- Epic Games initially sued Apple in 2020 after Fortnite was removed from the App Store, claiming Apple violated competition laws by restricting developers from directing users to alternative payment methods.
- While Epic won only one of its ten claims—Apple’s violation of California’s Unfair Competition Law—this led to a court order requiring Apple to allow developers to link to external payment options.
- Apple argued that the ruling created confusion over what fees it could charge for purchases outside the App Store, but the appeals court largely upheld the prior decision, limiting Apple’s ability to impose commissions beyond direct costs.
- With rehearing denied, Apple’s remaining options are limited, potentially including a renewed attempt to have the Supreme Court hear the case, though previous petitions were declined.
