Mediation United States

Apple Requests Mediation with Epic Games in US App Store Dispute

By ADR Journal Editorial Desk Published 1 source Arbitration Mediation Payment Disputes Technology Sector United States United States

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TL;DR

  • Apple requested court-ordered mediation with Epic Games over App Store payment commissions.
  • Epic Games has not agreed to mediation but Apple says the court can require it.
  • Dispute centers on commissions for transactions outside Apple's in-app purchase system.
  • The court's response will determine if mediation becomes a formal step.

Overview

Apple has formally requested a US federal court to order a judicial settlement conference with Epic Games, targeting their ongoing dispute over App Store rules for commissions on external payments. While Epic Games has not accepted mediation, Apple believes the court can mandate the process.

What Happened

On August 11, 2026, Apple's attorneys discussed the possibility of a settlement conference with Epic's legal team, but Epic did not agree to the proposal.

Apple subsequently filed a request with US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, asking the court to order a confidential settlement conference, to be overseen by Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero.

The dispute concerns Apple's commission policy on payments completed outside the App Store's integrated payment system. A prior court ruling required Apple to allow developers to direct users to external payment options.

Apple had imposed a 27% commission on such external payments, but now proposes a structure as low as 15%. Epic contests these fees, stating they exceed permissible limits indicated by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Context

The ongoing litigation between Apple and Epic Games has focused on the rules and economics of the App Store, specifically how developers can offer external payment options and the commissions Apple can collect.

A settlement conference, if ordered by the court, would move the case from a procedural standoff towards a negotiated resolution over the rules and commission rates affecting developers in the US.

Why It Matters

  • The outcome could influence how commission rates are set for external payments on the US App Store, directly impacting app developers' revenue models.
  • A court-ordered mediation could establish a precedent for resolving similar technology and platform fee disputes through judicially endorsed negotiation.

Sources

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