Apple proposes 15 percent US link-out fee as Epic Games payment dispute continues

Apple has proposed charging developers up to 15 percent on qualifying purchases made through payment systems outside the App Store as part of the continuing legal battle with Epic Games in the United States. The proposed structure would apply a 15 percent fee to standard applications that would normally face Apple's 30 percent in-app purchase commission.

Lower rates would apply to certain partner programmes, subscription renewals and developers participating in the Small Business Program, where Apple has proposed a five percent link-out fee. Epic has rejected the proposal and argues that the charges go beyond what the relevant appeals-court guidance allows. Apple has separately asked for settlement discussions between the two companies. The dispute matters enormously to mobile games because external payment links can change the economics of free-to-play titles.

Large publishers increasingly want to send players to web stores where they can retain more revenue and build direct customer relationships. Even a 15 percent platform fee would materially affect those calculations. Epic has approximately two months to submit its formal opposition. The legal outcome could influence how developers across the United States design payment flows inside iPhone games and whether external web shops become a mainstream part of the iOS mobile-game economy.