Apple Proposes New Fee Structure Amidst Epic Games Legal Battle
In the ongoing legal dispute with Epic Games, Apple has put forth a proposal outlining a fee structure for digital purchases made via external links, bypassing the company’s proprietary in-app purchase system. This submission was presented to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Apple’s Commission Proposal
Apple is requesting a federal judge to permit it to collect commissions of up to 15% on purchases processed through external links within iOS applications. This applies to transactions that do not utilize the standard App Store in-app purchase mechanism. While earlier reports suggested a range of 5–15%, the current proposal indicates the higher end of this spectrum.
Epic Games’ Disapproval
Epic Games has promptly responded, expressing strong dissatisfaction with Apple’s proposed terms. In their statement, Epic deemed Apple’s request for these commissions as “far outside of the bounds” of what is acceptable, asserting that the proposed fees are excessively high. This reaction underscores the continued contentious relationship between the two tech giants regarding control over the iOS ecosystem and revenue distribution.
Apple’s proposal to levy a 15% commission on external digital purchases, even post-litigation, indicates a strategic move to maintain ecosystem control and revenue streams. This is not merely about transaction fees but about the fundamental architecture of digital distribution and the economic power Apple wields through iOS. The dispute highlights the ongoing tension between platform ownership and developer autonomy, with significant implications for market competition and app monetization models beyond the current 30% IAP standard.