Apple Drops 30% Fee on External Links

In the latest twist of the ongoing Epic vs Apple legal battle, Apple may now be compelled to eliminate its 30% commission on payments made through external links outside the App Store. This development is a significant outcome stemming from the Epic v Apple lawsuit, which began when Epic Games' CEO, Tim Sweeney, enabled direct in-app purchases for Fortnite, offering players substantial discounts.

Previously, Apple had to comply with similar regulations in the European Union, removing fees and restrictions on external linking. However, the United States had been more favorable to Apple's policies until now. The recent ruling prohibits Apple from:

• Charging fees on purchases made outside of apps
• Restricting developers' placement or formatting of external links
• Limiting the use of 'calls to action' that inform users of potential savings
• Excluding certain apps or developers from these benefits
• Using 'scare screens' to deter users from making external purchases
• Anything other than using 'neutral messaging' to inform users they are navigating to a third-party site

While Epic Games may have faced setbacks in some aspects of the case, this ruling marks a significant victory in their broader campaign against Apple's restrictive payment practices. Apple intends to appeal the decision, but the momentum seems to be against them, with judges consistently ruling in favor of more open practices.

The expansion of the Epic Games Store to mobile platforms, already established on Android and iOS in the EU, and on Android in the US, suggests that the importance of the iOS App Store could diminish over time. This shift promises more freedom for developers and potentially better deals for consumers.