Apple Lowers App Store Fees In Europe to Settle Dispute With EU

Apple is overhauling its EU App Store fees to settle its Digital Markets Act dispute, simplifying the fee structure and "[resolving] Apple's disagreements with the Commission over business terms and alternative distribution." Developers can sign the new terms starting today, and the changes go into effect on October 1. MacRumors reports: The initial acquisition fee and store services fee are being removed for apps distributed outside of the App Store, and Apple will now charge a 5% Core Technology Commission on digital purchases that replaces the prior per-install Core Technology Fee. Commission rates are changing for App Store apps, alternative payments, and apps distributed through alternative app marketplaces or the web.

Developers can offer in-app purchase options alongside alternative payment options in the EU, which is something Apple did not allow before. Apple says there will be presentation requirements so users have a consistent, transparent experience. Developers distributing apps in the EU must select their payment options and maintain those options for 12 months before making changes to "provide consistency and clarity for users." Apple will still use a Notarization process for apps downloadable through the web and through alternative app marketplaces.

Apps in the Kids category or being used by children under 13 will not include links to websites to complete transactions. All apps that use alternative payment processing or link to a website for transactions have to include a parental gate if the user is under 18. Apple is relaxing the rules for operating an alternative app marketplace.

It's always SOMETHING

[drinkypoo]

Apple says there will be presentation requirements so users have a consistent, transparent experience. Developers distributing apps in the EU must select their payment options and maintain those options for 12 months before making changes to "provide consistency and clarity for users."

So Apple gets to use their chosen payment system all the time, but other developers can't. This isn't for providing anything to users. This is for providing (or really for maintaining) something for Apple — an unfair ad

Re:

[Kincaidia]

And developers still don't own their customer. This is horse shit mafia level extortion.

Re:

[sabbede]

You think developers should own their customers? Why?

Re:

[Kincaidia]

The developer of a product - not necessarily the 'devs' that run it. Sorry, you must not be a business owner who has had to deal with this bullcrap.

Re:

[sabbede]

No, I'm not. Since you seem to be, maybe you can answer a question for me. What would you have to sell your product to a retailer for, and is that significantly different from the cut Apple takes? I used to do retail software sales (back when Electronics Boutique existed), but sales associates don't see the profit margins. I know Steam takes 30%, which I think is the same as Apple's cut.

Re: It's always SOMETHING

[fubarrr]

1 year delay? horseshit

Re:

[sabbede]

I don't see how they can have an unfair advantage on their own products. They have an advantage, yes, but I see it as entirely fair given that they make the dang things.

And yet

[Bahbus]

Apple still doesn't offer anything that is deserving of the 5%. They are still double dipping on developers by charging them yearly fees on top of a commission of each sale, while providing nothing but hosting and distribution. The 'tools' they provide are nothing special or unique.

Re:

[Bahbus]

Kill yourself you useless, impotent retard.

Re:

[wildstoo]

Look, I'm the last person who would normally defend Apple, but let's not pretend that exposure on the Apple store, access to the Apple market and association with the Apple brand is nothing. By uploading your app to the Apple store you've got potentially millions of eyes on your product.

If your app doesn't appear on the official Apple store, good luck getting users.

Other app stores are available now for installation (well, sideloading via a web browser really) in the EU, but I imagine they will have a vanis

Re:

[Bahbus]

Look, I'm the last person who would normally defend Apple, but let's not pretend that exposure on the Apple store, access to the Apple market and association with the Apple brand is nothing.

Well it's certainly not worth the yearly fee plus commissions. Unless they work at Apple, devs and their apps are not associated with Apple in any way.