This week saw the Supreme Court hand a legal victory to tech giant Apple this week in its ongoing antitrust battle.

According to the Washington Examiner, America's highest judicial body announced that Apple can continue using its current payment store practices.

Dispute dates back to 2020

In doing so, the Court turned down a request from video game creator Epic Games, which is fighting for the ability of iPhone users to purchase apps via other means.

The dispute stems from Epic Games' decision in 2020 to allow players of its game "Fortnight" to purchase the in-game currency known as "V-Bucks" directly from its website rather than through Apple's platform.

That move allowed "Fortnight" users to save money by avoiding the 30% markup which Apple charged to purchase the currency.

Apple retaliated for the loss of revenue by kicking "Fortnight" off of its app store, prompting Epic Games to assert in a lawsuit that Apple maintains an illegal "absolute monopoly."

Lower count found Apple to be in breach of California's Unfair Competition Act

The US Supreme Court let Apple keep its App Store payment rules in place for the time being, rejecting an Epic Games request that would have let developers start directing iPhone users to other payment options https://t.co/tHH10dW6el pic.twitter.com/O4UP5iYb4w

— Bloomberg (@business) August 9, 2023

A court determined in 2021 that while Apple was not in breach of federal antitrust legislation, it did violate California's Unfair Competition Act.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed that ruling earlier this year along with an injunction requiring Apple to how it runs its app store's transaction system.

This in turn prompted Epic Games' request for the Supreme Court to maintain that injunction while Apple files an application for the justices to hear its case. However, the request was denied in an order issued on Wednesday by Justice Elena Kagan.

Case has implications for cryptocurrency traders

The Supreme Court's ruling was closely scrutinized by gaming industry observers, including the YouTube channel Happy Power, which tweeted a meme that read, "Free Fortnight."

Apparently, Apple is now in the final stage of the Epic Games Trial with the Supreme Court.

The court rejected enforcing Epic's App Store ruling, letting Apple maintain its 30% fee.

Apple will NOT be forced to allow Fortnite back to the App Store. #Fortnite

Info by:… pic.twitter.com/8kFdXICAiS

— Happy Power (@HappyPower) August 9, 2023

Interest in the case is not limited to gamers, as the dispute between Apple and Epic Games also has implications for those who trade in cryptocurrency.

Crypto and NFT apps hoping to skirt Apple's hefty 30% tax won't get any reprieve for now, following the latest Supreme Court decision in Epic Games' case against Apple. https://t.co/VBOPh31Cf3

— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) August 10, 2023