Apple Admits "Essentially Zero" Cost for External Purchases, Proposes 15% Fee Anyway

Apple's August 13, 2026 court filing concedes its "necessary costs" to allow external App Store purchases "would be essentially zero" under the Ninth Circuit's standard. Apple nonetheless proposes a 15% linkout commission (5% for Small Business Program apps), down from the 27% a federal judge called a "blatant" violation of a 2021 injunction. Epic has 60 days to file opposition.