Tech giant Apple has filed an emergency motion in the U.S. District Court of Northern California, requesting to postpone implementing major changes to its App Store policies following its recent court battle with Epic Games.
The company aims to temporarily block a court order that would force it to allow app developers to direct users to alternative payment methods outside the App Store ecosystem. This court-mandated change was scheduled to take effect following Apple's legal defeat in its high-profile case against Epic Games.
The latest legal maneuver comes as Epic Games continues to pursue its appeal in the ongoing dispute. The original conflict erupted when Epic Games, creator of popular game Fortnite, openly challenged Apple's App Store payment restrictions.
Apple's current App Store guidelines require developers to use its in-app payment system exclusively, with Apple collecting up to 30% commission on transactions. The court's ruling would effectively break this exclusive payment channel, potentially impacting Apple's revenue stream from the App Store.
If Apple's request for a stay is denied, the company would need to revise its App Store policies to comply with the court's directive, marking one of the most substantial changes to its app marketplace since its launch.
The outcome of this latest legal move could reshape how millions of developers and users interact with the App Store, which serves as a primary distribution platform for iOS applications.
As both companies continue their legal battle, the broader tech industry watches closely, as any precedent set could influence future digital marketplace operations and revenue models.