APPLE has submitted a new commission proposal to the U.S. District Court in its ongoing legal dispute with Epic Games, proposing a fee structure for developers that use external website payment links in their apps. The suggested rates range from 5% to 15%, significantly lower than the traditional 30% App Store commission. This proposal includes:
- A 15% commission for standard apps, down from 30%.
- A 10% rate for partners in Apple's various programs, such as the News Partner Program.
- A 5% commission for small developers with annual revenue under $1 million.
This proposal emerges after a court ruling that instructed Apple to allow developers to use external payment options, leading to a ban on commissions on such transactions. The district court will review this proposal, while the Supreme Court is set to hear the case in October. If the Supreme Court rules in favor of Apple, it may nullify the current prohibition on collecting link-out fees.