Apple Abandons 30% Fee on External Links

It's another day in the ongoing Epic vs Apple saga, which many thought had concluded long ago. However, recent developments suggest that Apple may be compelled to eliminate its controversial 30% commission on external payment links outside the App Store. This significant ruling marks a pivotal moment in the legal battle that began when Epic Games' CEO, Tim Sweeney, enabled direct in-app purchases for Fortnite, offering players a substantial discount.

What does this mean for consumers and developers? In essence, Apple appears to be the definitive loser in the original Epic vs Apple case. Previously, Apple had to remove fees and restrictions on external links in the EU, but the US had been more favorable toward them. Now, the latest ruling prohibits Apple from:

• Imposing fees on purchases made outside of apps
• Restricting developers' ability to place or format external links
• Limiting the use of 'calls to action' like banners that highlight potential savings
• Excluding certain apps or developers from using external links
• Using 'scare screens' to influence consumer choice
• Anything other than using 'neutral messaging' to inform users they are navigating to a third-party site

While Epic may have lost some individual battles, it seems they have won the broader conflict. Apple intends to appeal the decision, but it appears unlikely that they will sway the judges who have made these rulings.

With the Epic Games Store for mobile now established on Android and iOS in the EU, and on Android in the US, the significance of the iOS App Store may diminish over time.