Apple Scores Legal Victory as Judge Decertifies 2011 App Store Antitrust Lawsuit

[jlc1978]

Apple has stated (via making it optional) that selling an app does not automatically make you a trader, as well as always stating you "may" be a trader. The way I'm interpreting it, my app - an app for a hobby I enjoy - is not related to my trade, craft, or profession. If I were to submit my account to be part of the Small Business program, or try to claim tax deductions, the EU could claim it's a business and I would be boned. But because I don't - and especially because I give the app away for free on other platforms

Paradoxically, that could cause you to be considered a trader because you develop for multiple platforms, rather than just as a hobbyist on one. Not saying it is right, but who knows what a regulator will decide.

I think if the EU wanted to avoid snaring hobbyists and free pass they should have been clearer on exactly what make one a 'trader' such as specifically exempting free apps that generate no revenue via adds, sales, donations, etc., under x annual revenue.

- I am in the free and clear.
At least, that's my hope. I have no desire to entertain a cross-continent lawsuit!

That's always the problem - regulations ar not clear and the regulator and courts decide what is and isn't required.

But back to my initial point, if Apple would just stop with the dumb $99/year fees, I wouldn't even bother charging, and the EU trader bit would be irrelevant.

I suspect they charge such a small amount to prevent everyone from signing up for a full fledged developer account and having to deal with the issues it would raise.
Maybe they should waive the fee for free apps after say a few years on the store and regular updates...

Edit: Added thoughts

 

[platinumaqua]

Honestly, the only non-permitted app that I would like to have available is full-fat Gecko Firefox with extensions support.

I'm over apps now since they're not usually better than a website

 

[germanbeer007]

Well that comment makes no sense just buy an android device when iOS is more or less becoming android anyway in terms of how the operating system works anyway
It’s not iOS 6 anymore

I think you're saying what I'm saying? Stop trying to make iOS like Android where you can install third party stores.

 

[germanbeer007]

since you ask, I have a 1990 Ford Taurus and a 2023 Volvo XC60.The feature set, performance, and quality gap is the same as that between your pixel and your iPhone.

no one brought up about the quality gap between pixel and iPhone except you so your point about that isn't really related to the discussion.

I prefer the pixel over all of the other android devices. if you prefer a Samsung, that's great, then you should go buy that android device.

 

[victorvictoria]

And maybe have a taste of why people generally don’t want to switch ecosystem in a whim, and how horrifyingly effective Apple has done to lock users down as hard as they can.

It's effective because it works! When the same company makes the OS, the hardware and either makes or tests the apps, the integration is something that Windows/Android can't even approach. With the Wild West of vendors and app makers, with no regulation, you don't even know who to call when something doesn't work!

 

[victorvictoria]

no one brought up about the quality gap between pixel and iPhone except you so your point about that isn't really related to the discussion.

I prefer the pixel over all of the other android devices. if you prefer a Samsung, that's great, then you should go buy that android device.

I had an Android phone for about 6 months. It was the most excruciating tech experience I've had the displeasure of trying to unwind. I'm Apple and nothing but since 2004. As for Android, to quote the great philosopher Taylor Swift, "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.
You go talk to your friends, talk to my friends, talk to me
But we are never, ever, ever, ever getting back together
Like, ever."

Feel me?

 

[surferfb]

Apple's locked down ecosystem never changed. It's the same as it was. They can't be held responsible for the actions taken by Google to lock down their ecosystem.

Also, let's be clear why Android is "locking down" (which it actually isn't doing - just requiring that developers register if they want their apps to run on premium Android devices). It's because of all the scams and malware (that I am repeatedly told is FUD when I point out as an obvious negative consequence of forcing Apple open).

Google says 50x more viruses and malware come from third-party app stores and side loaded apps than from the Play Store. But that’s the model regulators and the vocal minority of MacRumors posters want to bring to iOS.

The fact of the matter is the current model is better for users and fair to developers. And Apple has done nothing but loosened restrictions and lowered prices since the App Store was launched. Zero need to have government come in and declare they know better than the free market.

 

[plisskenetic]

This case was so clearly, so obviously done by people/ idiots wanting to find some loophole to get money