Cupertino, Calif. – Apple (NASD: AAPL) has changed its policy on in-app mobile subscriptions, so that publishers and others may now offer content in their apps that has been subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, MacRumors reported.
Previously, Apple had insisted that publishers offer the same deal on content offered through their iPad apps that they offered outside the app, with Apple taking a 30% cut of subscription revenues generated within the app.
Under Apple’s revised policy, “Apps can read or play approved content (specifically magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, and video) that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app, as long as there is no button or external link in the app to purchase the approved content.”
As long as publishers do not advertise the availability of separate digital subscription opportunities for their content available outside Apple’s App Store, “Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app,” the company said.
CNET noted that the Financial Times and others had taken issue with Apple’s policy, and in fact the U.S. Justice Department said it would examine the policy for potential antitrust violations.
Related Links:
http://tinyurl.com/3p5ebbp (MacRumors)
http://tinyurl.com/3d7nrrq (CNET)
