A U.S. appeals court has ordered Apple and Epic Games to negotiate App Store fees.
However, Epic CEO Tim Sweeney has made one thing clear. He will not agree to any revenue-sharing model.
The ruling follows Epic’s appeal against earlier decisions in its long-running dispute with Apple. While Epic lost much of that appeal, the court sided with Apple on one key point. Apple may charge developers a fee when apps sell through third-party stores. Still, judges rejected Apple’s earlier approach of setting fixed percentages without review.
Tim Sweeney Draws a Firm Line
After the ruling, Tim Sweeney spoke publicly about Epic’s stance. He said Epic will never pay Apple a percentage of developer revenue.
Instead, Sweeney supports flat fees tied to real services. For example, he said Apple could charge hundreds of dollars for app reviews or custom link approvals. He argued those charges reflect real labor costs.
However, he dismissed revenue cuts as “junk fees.” According to Sweeney, such charges punish developers for success rather than covering actual platform costs.
Why the Ruling Matters for Developers
The decision shifts power back to lower courts. Judges may now set a “reasonable” fee if Apple and Epic fail to agree. They could also appoint a technical committee to study Apple’s real costs.
Sweeney called the ruling a win for developers. He said it ends Apple’s claim that it can charge any fee it wants. Still, critics note that Apple employs thousands of workers to maintain the App Store. Those costs remain part of the debate.
What Comes Next for Apple and Epic
For now, negotiations remain uncertain. The ruling does not set a deadline. If talks collapse, the district court will step in.
Meanwhile, regulators abroad are watching closely. Sweeney believes international courts may soon ban revenue-based app fees altogether.
As a result, the outcome could reshape app marketplaces worldwide. Whether Apple and Epic find common ground now rests with the next phase of the legal process.
