Apple loses bid to delay Epic case, must justify App Store fees in 24 hours

A U.S. court has rejected Apple's request to pause proceedings that will determine how much commission the company can charge on purchases made outside the App Store. The ruling means Apple must submit its proposed App Store fee, along with supporting calculations and evidence, within 24 hours.

Apple asked Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers to suspend the proceedings while the U.S. Supreme Court reviews the company's appeal of a contempt ruling in its long-running legal battle with Epic Games. Apple argued that the Supreme Court's eventual decision could affect the proceedings in the lower court and potentially make work carried out in the meantime unnecessary.

The dispute stems from Apple's response to an earlier court order requiring it to allow developers to direct users to alternative payment methods outside the App Store. Apple was subsequently found in contempt after imposing a 27% commission on purchases made through external links. The company appealed the contempt finding to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear the case but has not yet issued a ruling.

Apple then asked Judge Gonzalez Rogers to put the lower-court proceedings on hold. Epic Games opposed the request, arguing that the process should continue regardless of the Supreme Court review. Epic also noted that Apple had already agreed to submit its proposed fee and supporting evidence within 24 hours if its request for a stay was rejected.

Judge Gonzalez Rogers has now denied Apple's request, according to Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney. Apple must therefore submit its proposed fee, the calculations behind it, and evidence explaining why the court should approve it. Epic will then have 60 days to file its legal analysis ahead of a court hearing on the issue, Sweeney said.

Apple has not yet provided a comment on the decision, while the judge's ruling has not yet been made public. The company previously declined to comment on the matter