If I understand correctly, this is not a final decision.
It's simply a temporary one. Apple is appealing the lower court's decision to force it to allow alternative payment methods. Epic wanted alternative payment methods allowed now, while Apple appeals.
This is simply the Supreme Court saying alternative payment methods are still on pause until the Supreme Court presumably hears the case and makes what will be the final decision.
The TechCrunch article is a bit clearer on the legal history here:
I don't think the Supreme Court has refused to hear the case, they've just refused to vacate the stay that is preventing the lower court's ruling from taking effect yet.
It's simply a temporary one. Apple is appealing the lower court's decision to force it to allow alternative payment methods. Epic wanted alternative payment methods allowed now, while Apple appeals.
This is simply the Supreme Court saying alternative payment methods are still on pause until the Supreme Court presumably hears the case and makes what will be the final decision.
The TechCrunch article is a bit clearer on the legal history here:
https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/09/app-store-payment-rules-wo...