Justice Department officials want to join Epic v. Apple appeal

The Department of Justice has asked a U.S. federal judge to participate in the upcoming appeal case between Epic and Apple, according to court documents seen by Reuters. The companies will return to court next month to discuss the outcome of their 2020 antitrust case.

The Ministry of Justice filed a memorandum to take up the case earlier this year. The agency expressed concern that Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers had misinterpreted US antitrust law. In 2019, reports surfaced that the DOJ was preparing to launch an investigation into Apple's business practices. A decision to uphold the company's victory over Epic could limit the DOJ's ability to prosecute it for antitrust violations.

"The United States believes that its participation in the oral argument would be helpful in court, particularly in explaining how errors (in the interpretation of antitrust law) could materially harm the enforcement of antitrust laws beyond of the specific context of this case," the Department of Justice said. wrote Friday.

The agency requested 10 minutes of court time. Neither party is opposed to the Department of Justice's involvement, although Apple has asked that the DOJ's argument time be counted toward Epic's total time or that the court extend the proceeding.

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