Apple has filed a new motion to halt the ongoing legal proceedings against Epic Games, citing a recent decision that paused a securities fraud lawsuit against the company. This move is part of the long-running legal battle between the two companies, centered on App Store commissions and Apple's alleged contempt of court. Apple hopes the Supreme Court will clarify whether it can be held in civil contempt for charging a commission on purchases made outside the App Store, despite the 2021 injunction requiring it to allow external purchasing options.
The Paused Securities Fraud Lawsuit
Earlier this year, a class action was filed on behalf of the Coral Springs Police Officers Pension Plan, accusing Apple of securities fraud. The lawsuit alleged that Apple misled investors about whether it was genuinely complying with the Epic injunction and whether it would deliver its announced AI-powered Siri features. Judge Noël Wise recently granted Apple's request to pause that case, pending the Supreme Court's decision on civil contempt. This development has given Apple a key argument to also pause the main Epic proceedings.
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Contempt Proceedings and the Supreme Court's Role
The Supreme Court is currently reviewing whether Apple can be held in civil contempt for charging a 30% commission on in-app purchases made outside the App Store, even though the 2021 injunction did not explicitly prohibit such a fee. Apple argues that the Supreme Court's decision could affect lower-court proceedings, while Epic Games disputes this. Last week, Apple asked the lower court to pause proceedings that will determine what commission, if any, the company may charge on external purchases, until the Supreme Court rules.
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Judge Wise's Decision as a Precedent
Apple submitted Judge Wise's decision to Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, arguing it supports its own stay request. Apple stated: 'Apple respectfully notifies this Court of a recent decision by the United States District Court for the Northern District of California in City of Coral Springs Police Officers Pension Plan v. Apple Inc. This recent decision is relevant to this Court's analysis of Apple's pending Motion to Stay Proceedings Pending Supreme Court Review.' Judge Rogers is currently reviewing Apple's arguments and Epic's opposition. Additionally, Apple has requested a temporary stay even if the motion is denied, to allow an appeal to the Ninth Circuit or the Supreme Court.
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Meanwhile, Apple faces other challenges in cybersecurity. A recent macOS ClickFix campaign has stolen passwords and installed remote access trojans in enterprises, highlighting the need for constant vigilance in data protection. The legal battle with Epic Games, however, could redefine the rules of the mobile app economy, with implications far beyond this single case.
For further reading, see the Wikipedia page on Epic Games v. Apple.
