The US Supreme Court has officially scheduled oral arguments for the Apple epic Games appeal in its long-running legal battle, with the hearing set for Monday, January 11, 2027, according to 9to5Mac.
Key takeaways
- The US Supreme Court updated its official docket with a date for oral arguments between Apple and Epic Games.
- Apple filed its opening brief arguing that a party cannot be held in civil contempt without a clear prohibition.
- Epic Games must file its response brief by November 13, and Apple's reply is due on December 14.
- The court will review the civil contempt ruling rather than the fee amounts developers can be charged.
When is the Supreme Court hearing for Apple and Epic Games?
According to 9to5Mac, the Supreme Court set oral arguments for Monday, January 11, 2027, after updating its official docket. Epic Games initially sued Apple in 2020 when Fortnite was removed from the App Store after introducing an alternative payment system. Later, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple could not stop developers from directing users to external payment options. Apple then imposed a commission of up to 27 percent on external purchases and added restrictions on link presentations.
In April 2025, Judge Rogers found Apple in civil contempt for violating the original injunction by charging commissions and restricting external links. Apple took the case to the Supreme Court after unsuccessful attempts before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In June, the Supreme Court agreed to review whether Apple could face a contempt ruling for violating the spirit of an injunction when the text did not explicitly ban the conduct.
What are the arguments regarding civil contempt ruling and App Store payments?
In September, Apple filed its opening brief claiming the contempt ruling should be tossed out because the original injunction did not explicitly prohibit charging commissions on external purchases. Apple cited multiple court decisions supporting the idea that civil contempt requires a clear prohibition. The US Department of Justice and several business groups submitted briefs supporting portions of Apple's argument. However, the DOJ also maintained that lower courts were correct in holding Apple in contempt for restrictive rules on external purchase links, such as mandating plain buttons without contrasting backgrounds.
What happens next in the legal battle?
With the Supreme Court hearing now on the calendar, both parties have specific deadlines to finish submitting their paperwork. Epic Games has until November 13 to submit its brief answering Apple's arguments. Apple must then file its reply by December 14 before oral arguments take place in January. The Supreme Court will only review the civil contempt ruling, leaving the separate issue of how much Apple can charge for external purchases to be handled by the district court.
Frequently asked questions
According to 9to5Mac, the Supreme Court has scheduled oral arguments for Monday, January 11, 2027, after updating its official court docket.
Epic Games sued Apple in 2020 after Fortnite was removed from the App Store for introducing an alternative in-app payment system through a remotely activated update.
The Supreme Court is only reviewing the civil contempt ruling against Apple, specifically whether a party can be held in contempt for violating the spirit of an injunction.
Epic Games has until November 13 to file its brief responding to Apple's arguments, and Apple's reply brief is due on December 14.
The DOJ supported part of Apple's argument but also stated that lower courts were right to hold Apple in contempt over restrictions on external purchase links like plain buttons.
Based on reporting by 9to5Mac. Read the original article
