Apple proposes fee structure for external digital purchases in Epic Games dispute

Apple has filed a new proposal in its ongoing litigation with Epic Games that would let the company collect fees on digital purchases made through external links that bypass Apple’s in‑app purchase system. The filing outlines a structure in which Apple could receive a commission on sales that occur outside its App Store, a move that Epic has dismissed as “far outside the bounds” of the court’s guidance on the matter. Epic’s response underscores its continued opposition to any arrangement that would allow Apple to monetize transactions that do not use its proprietary payment platform.

The proposal comes after a California district court judge, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, ruled in April 2025 that Apple had willfully failed to comply with a 2021 injunction in the Epic Games v. Apple case, thereby prohibiting the company from taking commissions on external purchases. However, a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has indicated that Apple may still pursue alternative fee‑collection mechanisms, though the court has not yet ruled on the specific structure proposed. The panel’s comments suggest that while the injunction remains in force, the legal framework for Apple’s fee‑collection strategy is still evolving.

In short, Apple’s latest filing seeks to extend its revenue model to transactions outside the App Store, a strategy Epic deems unlawful under current court orders. The Ninth Circuit’s recent panel statement leaves open the possibility that Apple could still negotiate a permissible arrangement, but the outcome will ultimately depend on further judicial review. The dispute remains a key battleground over digital commerce and the limits of platform control.