Supreme Court Denies Apple's Appeal in Epic Case, Paving Way for Alternative Payment Links

Supreme Court Upholds Apple vs. Epic Ruling

The Supreme Court has refused to consider Apple’s appeal in the 2021 Apple vs. Epic trial, upholding the original decision that requires Apple to relax its App Store anti-steering policy. This ruling means Apple must allow app developers, including Epic Games, to include links to alternative payment systems within their apps.

Apple has traditionally taken a 15-30% commission on all in-app purchases, and it has barred apps from informing customers about other payment methods. The new rule will allow developers to inform users of alternative payment options, potentially increasing their revenue by avoiding Apple's commission.

However, the situation is more complex as Apple may still require developers to share commissions through other means. For instance, in the Netherlands, dating apps are permitted to use alternative payment systems, but Apple still demands a 27% cut of the revenue.

In the European Union, the Digital Markets Act (DMA), set to take effect this spring, will further challenge Apple's control over the App Store by requiring it to allow sideloading—installing apps from sources outside the App Store. This change could significantly impact how developers distribute and monetize their apps.