Apple Abandons 30% Fee on External Links

In the latest twist of the ongoing Epic vs Apple saga, a significant ruling might force Apple to eliminate its controversial 30% commission on payments made outside the App Store. This development marks a pivotal moment in the legal battle that began when Epic Games, led by CEO Tim Sweeney, allowed Fortnite players to make in-app purchases directly from Epic, bypassing Apple's payment system at a discounted rate.

Previously, Apple had to adjust its policies in the European Union, removing fees and limitations on external linking. However, the U.S. rulings had been more favorable towards Apple until now. The new ruling stipulates that Apple can no longer:

• Impose fees on purchases made outside of apps.
• Restrict developers' ability to place or format links to external sites.
• Limit the use of 'calls to action' that inform users of potential savings.
• Exclude certain apps or developers from these freedoms.
• Use 'scare screens' to deter consumers from making outside purchases, instead opting for 'neutral messaging' to inform users they are navigating to a third-party site.

While Epic Games may have lost some individual battles, this ruling suggests they have essentially won the war against Apple's restrictive policies. Apple has announced plans to appeal the decision, but the likelihood of overturning these rulings appears slim.

With the Epic Games Store for mobile already established on Android and iOS in the EU, and expanding to Android in the U.S., the significance of the iOS App Store could diminish over time. This shift could herald a new era of app distribution and payment flexibility for developers and consumers alike.