Apple Seeks Settlement With Epic Games as Legal Battle Intensifies Over App Store Fees

The Latest Development

Apple filed a motion Thursday in federal California court asking a judge to order the company and Epic into court-supervised settlement talks. Apple first approached Epic's attorneys about settlement talks this week, but the gambit faced immediate rejection. Apple is now asking the court to send both sides to a settlement conference.

Fee Structure Dispute

The move comes amid a broader fight over Apple's compliance with a federal court ruling that required the company to allow developers to direct customers to payment options outside Apple's in-app purchasing system. The request came the same day Apple proposed a new fee structure for purchases made through links to payment systems outside the App Store. Apple had previously sought to impose a 27% commission on purchases made through external payment systems. That approach became the subject of a contempt dispute after Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers found Apple had failed to comply with the court's requirements.

Timeline and Court Involvement

Apple said its attorneys had discussed the proposed settlement conference with Epic's legal team on Aug. 11. Epic did not agree to Apple's request before the filing, according to the motion. The case remains contentious, with the Supreme Court already agreeing to hear Apple's appeal of lower court rulings on compliance with the in-app purchase order.

Broader Implications

This settlement push reflects mounting pressure on Apple to resolve the conflict. The company faces potential Supreme Court review and continued lower-court scrutiny over its compliance mechanisms for directing users to external payment systems. The fee structure remains central—Apple must now outline what it considers reasonable charges, with Epic Games having 60 days to respond with a legal analysis before the court decides.