News: Apple Revises App Store Link-Out Rules for EU DMA. However, new fees are still high -
Apple changed its App Store's rules to make it more in line to the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) however the charges related to the changes by Apple remain a significant amount as per an article from The Verge.
The highlights are outlined by six bullets on Apple's News and Updates page, users are being invited to go to the more in-depth description of the latest changes in their developer documentation.
Some highlights are promoting "offers that allow users to buy items from any location they choose," developers being able to "use an actionable link which can be tapped, clicked, or scanned, for users to get to their destination," and that "Updated business terms for apps with the External Purchase Link Entitlement will be introduced to align with changes made to these capabilities."
They are expected to be in into effect "this the fall" (no more specific start date is set).
'Nearly Endless 20 Percent Fee For Developers'
According to the report from The Verge, "Apple has added a $20 percent developer fee with the latest EU update," the updates appear to give developers more freedom in linking to purchasing options outside of the App Store.
The costs associated with this new feature are so steep and restrictive that "it's difficult to imagine anyone using it."
That's because, for developer that choose to sign up for the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum, the costs associated include a five initial acquisition charge, and a 20% Store services fee applicable for "sales of digital products and services, made on any platform, that occur within a fixed twelve-month time frame starting from the time of install, including app updates and reinstalls."
The Verge mentions that the app's updates or reinstalls through the user resets the clock back to the period of 12 months for the ongoing store service fee. Various other programs and mechanisms are able to lower costs and include the ability to support third-party app stores, charging for certain auto-renewing subscriptions that qualify, or becoming a developer under Apple's small-business program. However, the ongoing fee of 12 months resetting at updates or reinstalls are what make them "endless."
A recent TechCrunch article titled "Apple revamps DMA compliance for link-outs from the App Store, using fewer restrictions as well as an entirely new fee structure" further clarifies some aspects of the various terms of Apple and their associated fees, both existing as well as new. In particular,"Store Service Fee," for example "Store Service Fee" will comprise "a 10% commission, or a five discount commission (e.g., for developers who are enrolled in the App Store's Small Business Program) according to Apple's brand new contract terms for business; or a 20% standard, and 7percent discount in accordance with the terms of Apple's current agreements."
The details on charges for both the Alternative Terms Addendum for Apps within the EU and for the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum can be found in the Commissions section on this Apple support page.
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