Apple intends to charge a commission on in-app purchases, even if they are made bypassing its payment system
Apple has a backup plan on how not to lose money if it cannot reject the court’s decision in the proceedings with Epic Games. The company is thinking about taking a commission on all in—app purchases – it doesn’t matter if they are made through its payment system or bypassed.
Recall that in early September, the trial between Apple and Epic Games ended. Then the judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers rejected almost all the claims of Epic Games, but ordered Apple to do one thing — to allow developers to add links/buttons to other payment methods to applications.
This verdict did not suit the “apple company” (as, indeed, Epic Games). Apple tried to appeal it, but the court rejected the appeal. Therefore, starting from next Thursday, December 9, new payment rules should start working in the App Store.
Nevertheless, Apple is not going to give up and appealed to a higher court. From recent court documents, it became known about the company’s plans to introduce a new type of commission in the App Store.
“Epic Games assumes that “Apple will not charge a commission” for “transactions that occur outside of applications […] and for which Apple has not previously charged a commission.” This is not true. Apple did not collect a commission for purchases made using buttons and links, because such purchases were prohibited. But if the court allows these transactions, Apple may start charging it,” the document says.
By the way, back in the spring, Apple CEO Tim Cook also mentioned the possibility of launching a similar scenario. During one of the court sessions, he said that if the court meets Epic Games halfway, his company will have to find an alternative way to collect the commission.
“Also we would have to come up with an alternate way of collecting our commission,” Cook says. “We would then have to figure out how to track what’s going on and invoice it and then chase the developers; it seems like a process that doesn’t need to exist.”
— Adi Robertson (@thedextriarchy) May 21, 2021 Google has decided to launch a similar policy for the Play Store in South Korea.
Суд пока не комментировал ситуацию. Не станет ли противоречить инициатива Apple вынесенному решению — до конца неясно.
Отметим, что в начале ноября Changes in local laws forced the company to allow developers to use third-party payment systems. But she intends to charge a commission on such purchases as well. However, when choosing a third-party payment method, the commission amount will be 4% less compared to the usual (15-30%).
Apple also needs to rework the payment rules of its store in South Korea, but has not yet taken any action.
