SCOTUS sets hearing date for Apple’s appeal in Epic Games case

The U.S. Supreme Court has set the date for oral arguments in Apple's appeal of its legal dispute with Epic Games. This case stems from a 2020 lawsuit by Epic Games against Apple, following the removal of Fortnite from the App Store. While Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled in Apple's favor on nine out of ten claims, she also found Apple in civil contempt for violating an injunction.

Apple subsequently changed its rules to permit external purchase links, but imposed a commission and restrictions on their presentation. In April 2025, Judge Rogers ordered Apple to lift these restrictions and cease charging commissions on purchases outside the App Store. Apple challenged this ruling in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which is currently being reviewed by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider whether Apple can be held in contempt for violating the "spirit" of the injunction, even if the text doesn't explicitly forbid the conduct. The hearing has been scheduled for January 11, 2027, with Apple and Epic Games set to present their arguments. Both sides have already submitted briefs, with Apple arguing that the contempt ruling should be overturned due to the original injunction's lack of explicit prohibition on charging commissions.

The Department of Justice and various legal groups have also submitted briefs supporting Apple's stance, though they also argued that Apple was in contempt for certain restrictions on external purchase links. With the hearing date now set, the case moves closer to a final decision from the Supreme Court. However, additional paperwork is still required, with both parties having until November 13 and December 14 to file their respective briefs and reply.