Apple has filed a proposal in its long-running legal dispute with Epic Games that would allow the company to collect fees on digital purchases made through external links that bypass its in-app purchase system. The filing was made in August 2026.
Under Apple’s proposal, the company would charge a 15% fee on purchases made via external web links for standard apps, and a reduced 5% fee for apps participating in its Small Business Program. The proposal covers so-called “linkout” transactions — purchases completed outside the App Store rather than through Apple’s own payment infrastructure.
Apple acknowledged in its filing that under the Ninth Circuit’s definition of “necessary costs,” the applicable fee for linkout purchases would be 0%.
Epic Games has already responded, arguing that Apple’s proposed fee structure is “far outside of the bounds” of the Ninth Circuit’s guidance on what fees are permissible. Epic indicated it has approximately 60 days to file a formal opposition, which will be supported by expert witnesses.
The dispute stems from the broader, ongoing legal battle between Apple and Epic over App Store policies and payment practices. The current filings center on what, if anything, Apple is entitled to collect when users are directed away from the App Store to complete a purchase on the web.
The outcome of this dispute could affect how fees are structured for developers who choose to route customers to external payment options rather than using Apple’s in-app purchase system — a question that may have significant implications for app developers operating under both the standard and Small Business Program tiers.
Source: The Verge