Apple Wins Right to Charge Fees on External Payment Links
Court Ruling Overview
A U.S. appeals court has ruled that Apple can charge a reasonable commission on purchases made through external payment links in iOS apps. This decision partially reverses sanctions imposed on Apple in its ongoing legal battle with Epic Games.
Background
Since April, Apple has been required to allow developers to include links to non‑App Store purchase options in their apps. However, the company was not permitted to charge any fees on these transactions.
What the Appeals Court Decided
The appeals court has now determined that Apple should be able to charge a fee to cover its necessary costs and intellectual property. The case has been sent back to the district court to define what constitutes a “reasonable” fee.
The court noted that the initial injunction was overly broad and that Apple had made external links difficult to use, contrary to the spirit of the order.
Civil Contempt Findings
The court also found Apple in civil contempt for charging developers 27 percent instead of the standard 30 percent for external‑link purchases, making it more expensive than in‑app purchases. Almost no developers opted into this program.
Proposed Fee Calculation
The appeals court suggested that the district court calculate a commission based on the necessary costs for coordinating external links and some compensation for intellectual property, while excluding security and privacy costs.
Next Steps
Apple and the district court are expected to work expediently to settle on a fee that satisfies the court’s guidance.
