Dutch Antitrust Watchdog to Investigate Whether Apple Gives Itself Preferential Treatment in App Store [Updated]

[KevinN206]

True, but Apple has to pay for maintaining the apps store, curating apps, localizing the store, etc, so it's not exactly free of costs for them either. I just do not understand the notion that Apple should somehow let app developers have access to the app store free of charge. 15% is not an unreasonable markup; nor 30% to cover the costs of initial review. Even so, for many apps I doubt the money they get covers their costs. If Apple charged a fixed fee for access and review many of the apps currently on there would not exist.

Every apps on the App Store, even free ones, must pay Apple at $99/year to maintain listing. Enterprises must pay $299/year. The exceptions are charity apps and government apps.

 

[jlc1978]

Every apps on the App Store, even free ones, must pay Apple at $99/year to maintain listing. Enterprises must pay $299/year. The exceptions are charity apps and government apps.

Correct. I was referring to an additional fixed fee based on downloads.

 

[1345873]

You don't own part of Apple either by buying an iPhone


No. You know the deal when you buy an iPhone or shop at a store; your choice is to buy or not buy.

Noticed the ‘deal’ on the iphone box? Just next to the ‘manual’

When you buy something at retail the retailer get sa markup, just like Apple does. It's called making a profit and staying in business.

Wrong, its called ripping off clients and possible competitors.


Hardly. Their are plenty of other phones that do the same thing that compete with Apple.

Like? Android you mean?

Very different history. Pcs didn't have the option of an App store when they first came out, and a massive industry developed around the current model so now app stores and independent distribution channels coexist.

So its possible?

 

[dredlew]

here's the rub though, this mentality of "if you don't like our rules, leave" is a terrible mindset to have, especially as a consumer.

What if these app developers decide they don't like the unfair treatment and do Leave?

what if Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Google, all say "this sucks" and leave.

What if because the big players are gone, the little players also leave?

you're left with a platform with limited 3rd party support. That means less and less apps.

Do you want iOS to go the way of Windows Phone / BBOS10? no apps so nobody buys them?

at some point, it is in both Apple's and the suppliers best interest to work together on a rate scheme that affords equal access to the customer, with some parity to the costs associated with it. Driving away one of your prime motivators of sales to your consumers is not a smart business decision.

I don't think you read my comment right; every developer knew full well BEFORE they got into business with Apple what the conditions were. They accepted to abide by the terms and conditions, as one does with a developer account. It's a signed contract that no one forced them to accept. But then later on to turn around and somehow claim that they were treated unfairly is basically violating that contract they signed. It's really stupid.
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As a business operating internationally, you know full well what the rules and regulations are when you get into business in a foreign market. Don't like the rules? Don't get into business in that country, it's pretty simple. There are plenty of other countries to open an App Store in.

Cool, that seems to work both ways!

I think this case is silly. But I'm an American. It's up to the Dutch to decide if they also find it silly. I look forward to their decision and hope that the outcome doesn't alter what I consider to be one of the best benefits of the Apple ecosystem. I have no desire to see the App Store switch to the Android model.

You do realize that Apple is operating their business internationally since the beginning of time so to speak, right? Apparently they complied just fine with the country's rules but all of a sudden because some sad loser complains (that didn't when they first got into business with Apple), now Apple's business is somehow an issue in that country? What? No, it does not go both ways.

 

[MEJHarrison]

You do realize that Apple is operating their business internationally since the beginning of time so to speak, right? Apparently they complied just fine with the country's rules but all of a sudden because some sad loser complains (that didn't when they first got into business with Apple), now Apple's business is somehow an issue in that country? What? No, it does not go both ways.

If Apple is playing fairly, we can only hope things play out in their favor. If it's determined that they're not playing fairly, then they should be held accountable for those actions. The fact that they might have played fairly on day 1 says nothing about their practices on day 1,000.

I don't know if they're behaving properly, because I'm too far removed from things here in the USA. It's also pointless (for me) to argue if they should or should not be held accountable for their actions because I only know how they should behave in here in the USA. I can't judge them by the standards held in The Netherlands because I'm not familiar with their laws over there. I'm completely ignorant when it comes to their legal system and how corporations are expected to behave. That's for the Dutch to decide.

Beyond that, I'm choosing to not make uninformed comments on this. I'm not only not a lawyer, I'm even more not an international lawyer. But I am interested in seeing how this plays out. I'm rooting for Apple on this one, but don't know if that support is misplaced or not. Hopefully the trial will uncover all that.

 

[Krizoitz]

First of all, learn what literally means. Then fix the twisted thinking.

I’m well aware of what literally means, which is why I chose it. The argument you are making LITERALLY means that Apple should be compelled to help the customer do anything and everything they want with their phone. Which, aside from being impossible from a practical standpoint is a bad idea from a business one as well.

The thinking that is twisted is that of you and people like you who believe that a software/hardware developer should be compelled to cater to your every desire, the self entitled attitude of “I want it so they should give it to me”. You have no concept how software or hardware development works, nor do you care. All that matters is you get everything you want. That’s twisted.

 

[mrex]

BTW, thanks for the compliment that I must be American. Since America invented all the things you needed to post your opinion. You're welcome.

actually thank finnish students, who invented Erwise - the first graphical web browser.