In a high-stakes legal battle, Apple faces scrutiny as it must produce over 1 million documents related to its recent App Store policy changes. Judge Thomas S. Hixson has denied the company's request for an extension, labeling it 'bad behavior' and confirming that the deadline remains set for September 30.
Earlier in August, a judge had ordered Apple to disclose all documents regarding the decision-making process behind the new App Store rules. However, Apple claimed that a search by Epic Games revealed more documents than anticipated, necessitating additional time for review. Despite these claims, a second judge overseeing the case has implied that Apple may have misled the court, stating that the company's explanations were 'simply not believable.'
Apple's assertions that its decision to maintain a 27% commission was not financially motivated have also been met with skepticism. The judge has demanded all relevant documents leading to this decision, raising questions about the transparency of Apple's practices.
In a recent twist, Apple has sought to overturn an injunction that required it to remove anti-steering rules, citing recent legal precedents that challenge the validity of the injunction. This ongoing saga highlights the complexities of the case, as Epic Games remains banned from the US App Store, limiting any potential remedies even if they succeed in court.