Apple suggests implementing a 15% commission on purchases made beyond the App Store.
Apple has presented its proposed commission rates for purchases made through external links within apps on its iOS devices, following an unsuccessful attempt to postpone the proceedings.
In a recent submission to the U.S. District Court in Northern California, Apple outlined a standard commission rate of 15% for general apps, offering additional discounts for developers who participate in special Apple initiatives.
According to the new proposal, developers running small businesses would face a 5% commission on transactions, while those involved in Apple’s Video Partner Program, News Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program would be charged a 10% fee. The commission on subscription renewals would also be lowered to 10%, as indicated in the filing.
The tech giant has been embroiled in a lengthy legal dispute with Epic Games, stemming from allegations of anti-competitive conduct concerning App Store commissions, and had sought to delay its response to the court concerning this aspect of its commission rates.
Apple contended that the ongoing lower court proceedings should be postponed until the Supreme Court reached a decision on a related issue: whether Apple acted in contempt of a court order when it instituted a new 27% commission on purchases made via external links, along with restrictions on how developers could present these links.
However, the Supreme Court dismissed Apple’s request to halt progress in the lower court, thereby compelling the company to disclose its intended commission framework.
Apple maintains that it has the right to impose fees on in-app purchases made by its users to recover its investments in the infrastructure, technology, and services necessary to operate its App Store and software.
The company drew comparisons between its commission structure and that of Google Play, which imposes a 20% rate for standard apps, a 15% fee for those in special programs, and a 10% charge for subscription renewals, noting that Epic Games had previously accepted these rates.
