Apple Ordered to Meet Monday Deadline in Epic Games Lawsuit
A federal judge has firmly rejected Apple’s request for more time to produce over 1.3 million documents related to its App Store policy changes, calling the last-minute extension attempt “bad behavior.”
Key Developments in the Case
- Deadline Stands: Judge Thomas S. Hixson denied Apple’s extension request, maintaining the September 30 deadline for document production
- Document Volume: Apple claimed Epic Games’ search terms uncovered twice as many documents as expected
- Judicial Rebuke: The judge criticized Apple for waiting until four days before the deadline to request an extension
Background: The Epic vs. Apple Legal Saga
This latest development continues the high-profile legal battle between Apple and Epic Games, creator of Fortnite. While Apple largely prevailed in previous rulings, courts ordered the tech giant to relax its App Store payment rules. The mandated changes allowed developers to:
- Use alternative payment systems
- Avoid Apple’s in-app purchase requirements
- Pay reduced (but still substantial) commissions
The Compliance Controversy
Apple implemented these changes in January 2024, but Epic quickly challenged them as “bad-faith” compliance. The current document request aims to uncover how Apple developed its new App Store policies.
Judge’s Scathing Assessment
Judge Hixson, overseeing the discovery process, delivered sharp criticism:
“With its nearly infinite resources, Apple could probably review that many documents in a weekend.”
He particularly noted that Apple should have been aware of the document volume weeks earlier, calling the last-minute request irresponsible.
What Comes Next
With the Monday deadline firm, Apple must now:
- Complete document production by September 30
- Face potential consequences for any failure to comply
- Prepare for the next phases of this landmark antitrust case
The outcome could significantly impact app store operations across the tech industry, potentially reshaping digital marketplace regulations.
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