Apple Unveils Revised Commission Structure Amid Prolonged Legal Dispute with Epic Games
In an intriguing turn of events, Apple has proposed a revised fee structure that would command commissions nearing 15 percent on transactions made via external links, rather than through its own App Store payment system.
This proposal was articulated in a recent court filing as part of Apple’s extensive legal skirmish with Epic Games, the studio behind the popular title, Fortnite.
If accepted, Apple would impose a 15 percent surcharge on purchases made through standard apps. Conversely, developers enrolled in Apple’s Video Partner Program, News Partner Program, and Mini Apps Partner Program would encounter a diminished fee of 10 percent, applicable to subscription renewals as well.
Apple’s filing is in, and Apple admitted that under the Ninth Circuit’s definition of “necessary costs” they would charge 0% for purchases made via linkouts to the web.
Apple proposed linkout fees of 15% for standard apps and 5% for Small Business Program apps. Epic believes…
— Epic Games Newsroom (@EpicNewsroom) August 13, 2026
For developers participating in Apple’s Small Business Program, the commission would reach its nadir at only five percent.
This proposal closely follows a ruling from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which affirmed Apple’s entitlement to collect a commission linked to the “necessary costs” incurred in facilitating external purchases.
Intriguingly, Apple concedes in its filing that these necessary costs are “essentially zero.” Nonetheless, the tech giant maintains that the proposed commission structure is justified as a means to compensate for the extensive tools, technologies, and services it provides to its developers.
Moreover, Apple references expert analysis asserting that the suggested rates would enable numerous U.S. developers—who significantly contribute to App Store revenues—to profitably redirect customers to outside payment options.
However, Epic Games remains skeptical. The company has responded to Apple’s filing by highlighting the acknowledgment that the necessary costs for web purchases amount to virtually nothing.
Epic contends that Apple’s proposed range of five to 15 percent commissions is “far outside of the bounds” delineated by the Ninth Circuit.
They maintain that there is a window of approximately 60 days to formally contest Apple’s proposal, backed by testimony from expert witnesses.
At present, Apple is barred from collecting commissions on purchases made through external links as per an April 2025 ruling issued by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers.
Judge Rogers concluded that Apple had “willfully” defaulted on compliance with her original 2021 injunction, which mandated a relaxation of restrictions regarding alternative payment mechanisms.
This legal battle shows no signs of abating. The U.S. Supreme Court has consented to examine arguments concerning whether Apple willfully violated the 2021 injunction.
The verdict could potentially delineate whether linking customers to external payment platforms constitutes a legitimate alternative to Apple’s in-app payment system or merely substitutes one App Store commission for another.
Source link: Iphoneincanada.ca.
