Apple Charge on Indirect Revenue for Free Apps

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Apple Charge on Indirect Revenue for Free Apps

One of XYZ Bank wants to distribute free iPhone & iPad App to their commercial customers through Public App Store,

Eventhough App is free to download & install, Bank wants to impose some monthly/yearly Fee on Services offered through installed Apps.

So Bank is gaining some indirect revenue on this App. Do Apple will charge any percent of money on this indirect revenue?

Is Apple declared legally anywhere that it is going to charge or not?

I have called around 5-6 customer support numbers but I dint get any clear information.

Do anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks in Advance.

SCT

iPad, iOS 5, Both Smartphone & Pads

Posted on Jan 24, 2013 9:19 AM

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Answer 1

SantoshCT Author

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Jan 24, 2013 9:22 AM in response to SantoshCT

FYI...

Still app is not deployed to App Store, after clearly understanding (In Written) whether Apple will charge any percentage on Indirect Revenue, we are making decision on whether to go for Public Store or not.

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Answer 2

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Jan 24, 2013 9:52 AM in response to SantoshCT

I'd think you'd need to talk to their legal department for that type of issue or, at least, the department that runs MAS - certainly customer service wouldn't know. And, unfortunately, since we are all other users like you, we would not have any idea either.

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Answer 3

a brody

Level 10

82,941 points

Jan 24, 2013 12:31 PM in response to SantoshCT

http://www.apple.com/support/mac/app-store/contact.html?form=account&topic=MacAp pStoreAccountandBilling is the billing department at the Mac App Store.

http://www.apple.com/legal/ has legal contacts.

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Answer 4

SantoshCT Author

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Jan 24, 2013 10:52 PM in response to babowa

Thanks,

Anybody having contact information (Email/Phone) of Apple's legal department.

Most of the phone numbers I found was related to Technical Support, I dint find any legal issue related contacts.

Kindly share if anyone is having the details.

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Answer 5

babowa

Level 9

78,103 points

Jan 24, 2013 11:15 PM in response to SantoshCT

You will find all contact info here, including the corporate address and phone number:

http://www.apple.com/contact/

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Answer 6

a brody

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Jan 25, 2013 4:28 AM in response to SantoshCT

My post from yesterday has the legal link. Please read the entire thread before asking a question.

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Answer 7

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Jan 25, 2013 7:36 AM in response to SantoshCT

My understanding is that Apple does take percentage of any purchase made in-app, including subscriptions. This information may help:

https://developer.apple.com/appstore/in-app-purchase/index.html

If not, contact the Apple Developer Program here:

https://developer.apple.com/contact/submit.php

and ask for clarification on any details you may still find to be unanswered.

Regards.

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Answer 8

SantoshCT Author

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Jan 26, 2013 5:43 AM in response to a brody

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies to guide me.

I have sent same query to Apple's iTunes Support Team, I got replay like this.

Hope this might help those people who are on same track.

"Dear San,

........

.......

I'll be more than happy to assist you with your concern on

the free app that you you used in the public store and then charged your customer for using it.

I understand that you want to know if Apple will charge you for doing this type of business.

In order to make sure this gets looked into thoroughly, I've consulted with a senior advisor as well.

She then verified that Apple will not charged you. It is like transferring one app to a multiple device.

I hope I was able to resolve your issue.

"

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Answer 9

varjak paw

Level 10

170,200 points

Jan 28, 2013 7:04 AM in response to SantoshCT

I do not belive that the iTunes Store representative you talked to understood what you wish to do; either that or I didn't. I would suggest you ask Apple Developer Support about this before you develop any application through you which you will charge any sort of subscription, if I understand correctly to be what you are asking about. It is most certainly not the same as just transferring one app to multiple devices. Again, to the best of my knowledge, Apple does take a percentage of any service which is purchased as an in-app purchase.

Regards

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Answer 10

SantoshCT Author

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Jan 28, 2013 9:41 PM in response to varjak paw

Thanks for your sugestion Varjak paw.

I will varify once again.

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