Apple Drops 30% Fee on External Links

In a significant development in the ongoing Epic vs Apple legal battle, Apple may now be compelled to eliminate its 30% commission on external payment links outside the App Store. This decision marks a pivotal moment in the dispute, which began when Epic Games allowed Fortnite players to make in-app purchases directly from Epic, bypassing Apple's payment system at a considerable discount.

Previously, Apple had to comply with similar regulations in the European Union by removing fees and limitations on external links, but the rulings in the United States had been more favorable to them. However, the latest ruling now prohibits Apple from:

• Charging fees on purchases made outside the app,
• Restricting developers' ability to place or format links,
• Limiting the use of 'calls to action' that inform users of potential savings,
• Excluding certain apps or developers from these policies,
• Using 'scare screens' to interfere with consumer choice, and instead requiring 'neutral messaging' to inform users they are navigating to a third-party site.

While Epic Games may have lost some individual battles, this ruling suggests they have essentially won the broader conflict. Apple has announced plans to appeal the decision, though overturning it seems unlikely given the current judicial stance.

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