Latest News: Apple Revises App Store Link-Out Rules for the EU DMA, however the fees remain high.
Apple has revised its App Store's rules in order to be better compliant with the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), but the charges related to the changes by Apple are still considerably high in accordance with an article from The Verge.
The major changes are described 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 on their developer manual.
The highlights include mentions of advertising "offers that allow users to buy items from a destination of their choice," developers being able to "use an actionable link that can be tapped, clicked or scan, in order in order to direct users to where they want to go," and that "Updated business terms for apps with external Purchase Link Entitlement feature are currently being introduced to align with changes in these features."
The changes will take into effect "this fall" (no other specific beginning date is given).
"Nearly an indefinite 20 percent fee to Developers'
According to the report from The Verge, "Apple has added a $20 percent developer fee in latest EU update" the updates appear to provide developers with more flexibility when it comes to linking with purchase options outside of Apple's App Store.
However, the fees associated with this new feature are so steep and restrictive that "it's difficult to imagine anyone using the feature."
This is because for developers that choose to sign up for the StoreKit External Purchase Link Entitlement (EU) Addendum, the costs associated include a five% Initial acquisition fee, and the 20% Store Services charge that is applicable on "sales of digital products and services on any platform, within a set 12-month period after the date of installation, including updates to apps and reinstalls."
The Verge mentions that apps that are updated or reinstalled by the user reset the clock to the 12 months remaining to pay the store's ongoing services fee. There are a variety of other tools and programs that could lower fees by allowing support for third party app stores, charging for certain auto-renewing subscriptions that qualify, or being a developer in Apple's small-business program. But the 12-month ongoing fees resetting at updates or reinstalls is what makes them potentially "endless."
A recent TechCrunch article titled "Apple revises DMA approval for App Store link-outs, with fewer restrictions, and a new fee structure," further clarifies some of the distinctions between Apple's various terms and their associated fees, both existing and brand new. For example there is"Store Services Fee" will be "Store Service Fee" is "a 10% commission or 5% discounted commission (e.g. Developers who are enrolled in the App Store's Small Business Program) in accordance with Apple's business terms; or 20% standard or 7percent discount in accordance with the terms of Apple's current agreements."
Information on the fees associated with each of the alternative terms Addendum for Apps within the EU as well as the StoreKit External Purchase link Entitlement (EU) Addendum can be found in the Commissions area of this Apple support page.
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