lawsuit brought by U.S.-based developers over apples App Store terms.
Skip to main content
Updated 49 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Apple agrees to settle potential class action suit by U.S. developers
Ina Fried
Ina Fried, author of Login
Am illustration of an Apple logo surrounded by several abstract circles
Image: Apple
Apple said Thursday it has settled — pending court approval — a possible class-action lawsuit brought by U.S.-based developers over its App Store terms.
Why it matters: Apple will set up a $100 million fund for small developers and make some changes to its practices but is keeping its overall commission structure. The suit is one of a number of legal challenges Apple is facing over its store.
As part of the settlement:
Developers can communicate directly with customers about alternative payment options. Customers have to consent and be given the right to opt-out.
Apple agrees to maintain for three years a program that lowers commissions to small businesses.
Apple will also set up a $100 million fund for small developers in the U.S., ranging from a minimum of $250 to $30,000 based on the size of the developer. Eligible developers are those who made less than $1 million during each of five years, a group Apple says represents more than 99 percent of developers.
Apple agrees to make sure the search results in the App Store are based on objective criteria.
Apple will offer more price points for apps. Today there are less than 100, but the company is committing to increase that to more than 500 options.
The company will issue a transparency report that includes at minimum the number of apps rejected, developer, search queries and results and the number of apps removed from the App Store.
With the exception of the fund for small developers, the rest of the changes are being made globally.
Between the lines: Apple ceded some ground on issues of interest to developers but gets to keep (at least for now) for its App Store, including the overall commission structure of the story as well as its prohibition against using rival app stores or in-app payment mechanisms.
The settlement, which must be approved by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, comes as Apple is awaiting a ruling in a separate lawsuit, brought by Fortnite developer Epic Games, which seeks to force Apple to allow rival in-app payment and store options.
The same federal judge is hearing the Apple-Epic case and a ruling could come at any time.
What they're saying:
Plaintiffs' lawyer Steve Berman: "This hard-won settlement will bring meaningful improvements to U.S. iOS developers who distribute their digital wares through the App Store, especially for those small developers who bring so much creativity and energy to their work."
Apple Fellow Phil Schiller: “We would like to thank the developers who worked with us to reach these agreements in support of the goals of the App Store and to the benefit of all of our users.”
Go deeper
Dave Lawler
Dave Lawler
1 hour ago - World
Kabul airlift enters closing stage after attack
Kabul airlift enters closing stage after attack
Afghans wait to be evacuated following the attack. Photo: Marcus Yam/LA Times via Getty
The Kabul airlift was already entering its endgame when ISIS-K, the terrorist group’s affiliate in Afghanistan, attacked outside the airport and killed 13 U.S. troops and an estimated 60 Afghans.
State of play: Most NATO allies have now ended their evacuation operations, including for their own civilians. Those already inside the airport are being flown out, but the gates are closed and Americans and Afghans alike have been urged to stay away. The U.S. military is preparing for its own evacuation and is on alert for additional attacks.
Go deeper (2 min. read)
Axios
Dave Lawler, Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath
Updated 2 hours ago - World
Kabul airport attack kills dozens of Afghans, 13 U.S. troops
Kabul airport attack kills dozens of Afghans, 13 U.S. troops
Smoke rises after two explosions outside Hamid Karzai International Airport. Photo: Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
At least 13 U.S. troops and dozens of Afghan citizens were killed in two suicide bombings outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday, U.S. and Afghan officials said.
What we know: The "complex attack" that struck in the sunset of the U.S.' longest war involved an explosion at the Abbey Gate entrance to the airport, a second explosion near the Baron Hotel, and gunfire from ISIS fighters, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie told reporters. President Biden blamed ISIS-K for the "vicious attack," and vowed to retaliate.
Go deeper (3 min. read)
Oriana Gonzalez
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Officer who killed Ashli Babbit has no regrets: "I saved countless lives"
Loading video
The Capitol Police officer who killed Ashli Babbit during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection told NBC News that he shot her as a "last resort," but ultimately he knows he "saved countless lives."
Driving the news: Lt. Michael Byrd was cleared this week of any wrongdoing for killing Babbitt, whom he shot as she tried to make her way through a broken window into the Speaker's Lobby, just off the House chamber floor.
Go deeper (1 min. read)
About
About Axios
Advertise with us
Careers
Events
Axios on HBO
Axios HQ
Privacy and terms
Online tracking choices
Contact us
Subscribe
Axios newsletters
Axios app
Axios podcasts
Courses
Earn Axios rewards
Updated 49 mins ago - Politics & Policy
Apple agrees to settle potential class action suit by U.S. developers
Ina Fried
Ina Fried, author of Login
Am illustration of an Apple logo surrounded by several abstract circles
Image: Apple
Apple said Thursday it has settled — pending court approval — a possible class-action lawsuit brought by U.S.-based developers over its App Store terms.
Why it matters: Apple will set up a $100 million fund for small developers and make some changes to its practices but is keeping its overall commission structure. The suit is one of a number of legal challenges Apple is facing over its store.
As part of the settlement:
Developers can communicate directly with customers about alternative payment options. Customers have to consent and be given the right to opt-out.
Apple agrees to maintain for three years a program that lowers commissions to small businesses.
Apple will also set up a $100 million fund for small developers in the U.S., ranging from a minimum of $250 to $30,000 based on the size of the developer. Eligible developers are those who made less than $1 million during each of five years, a group Apple says represents more than 99 percent of developers.
Apple agrees to make sure the search results in the App Store are based on objective criteria.
Apple will offer more price points for apps. Today there are less than 100, but the company is committing to increase that to more than 500 options.
The company will issue a transparency report that includes at minimum the number of apps rejected, developer, search queries and results and the number of apps removed from the App Store.
With the exception of the fund for small developers, the rest of the changes are being made globally.
Between the lines: Apple ceded some ground on issues of interest to developers but gets to keep (at least for now) for its App Store, including the overall commission structure of the story as well as its prohibition against using rival app stores or in-app payment mechanisms.
The settlement, which must be approved by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, comes as Apple is awaiting a ruling in a separate lawsuit, brought by Fortnite developer Epic Games, which seeks to force Apple to allow rival in-app payment and store options.
The same federal judge is hearing the Apple-Epic case and a ruling could come at any time.
What they're saying:
Plaintiffs' lawyer Steve Berman: "This hard-won settlement will bring meaningful improvements to U.S. iOS developers who distribute their digital wares through the App Store, especially for those small developers who bring so much creativity and energy to their work."
Apple Fellow Phil Schiller: “We would like to thank the developers who worked with us to reach these agreements in support of the goals of the App Store and to the benefit of all of our users.”
Go deeper
Dave Lawler
Dave Lawler
1 hour ago - World
Kabul airlift enters closing stage after attack
Kabul airlift enters closing stage after attack
Afghans wait to be evacuated following the attack. Photo: Marcus Yam/LA Times via Getty
The Kabul airlift was already entering its endgame when ISIS-K, the terrorist group’s affiliate in Afghanistan, attacked outside the airport and killed 13 U.S. troops and an estimated 60 Afghans.
State of play: Most NATO allies have now ended their evacuation operations, including for their own civilians. Those already inside the airport are being flown out, but the gates are closed and Americans and Afghans alike have been urged to stay away. The U.S. military is preparing for its own evacuation and is on alert for additional attacks.
Go deeper (2 min. read)
Axios
Dave Lawler, Laurin-Whitney Gottbrath
Updated 2 hours ago - World
Kabul airport attack kills dozens of Afghans, 13 U.S. troops
Kabul airport attack kills dozens of Afghans, 13 U.S. troops
Smoke rises after two explosions outside Hamid Karzai International Airport. Photo: Haroon Sabawoon/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
At least 13 U.S. troops and dozens of Afghan citizens were killed in two suicide bombings outside the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul on Thursday, U.S. and Afghan officials said.
What we know: The "complex attack" that struck in the sunset of the U.S.' longest war involved an explosion at the Abbey Gate entrance to the airport, a second explosion near the Baron Hotel, and gunfire from ISIS fighters, Gen. Kenneth McKenzie told reporters. President Biden blamed ISIS-K for the "vicious attack," and vowed to retaliate.
Go deeper (3 min. read)
Oriana Gonzalez
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy
Officer who killed Ashli Babbit has no regrets: "I saved countless lives"
Loading video
The Capitol Police officer who killed Ashli Babbit during the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection told NBC News that he shot her as a "last resort," but ultimately he knows he "saved countless lives."
Driving the news: Lt. Michael Byrd was cleared this week of any wrongdoing for killing Babbitt, whom he shot as she tried to make her way through a broken window into the Speaker's Lobby, just off the House chamber floor.
Go deeper (1 min. read)
About
About Axios
Advertise with us
Careers
Events
Axios on HBO
Axios HQ
Privacy and terms
Online tracking choices
Contact us
Subscribe
Axios newsletters
Axios app
Axios podcasts
Courses
Earn Axios rewards
Comments
Post a Comment