The settlement offer for the class-action lawsuit brought about by developers received preliminary approval yesterday from Judge Yvonne Gonzalez-Rogers, who is overseeing that case in addition to the other one.
The $100 million fund will be created by Apple and will be based on App Store proceeds. Between $250 and $30,000 can be given to developers who earned $1 million or less through the U.S. storefront. Those who have participated more in the App Store will be paid more.
When the final approval of the settlement is received, eligible developers will be able to make claims and sign up to be notified when they are accepted through a website.
The App Store Small Business Program will remain in its current structure for the next three years, and Apple will allow developers to use communication methods like email to share information about payment methods available outside of their iOS apps.
Other terms include more App Store pricing options, the publication of an annual transparency report based on App Store data, and tools that allow developers to appeal the rejection of an app. The full details of what Apple has agreed to can be found in our original settlement article.
A group of developers accused Apple of using its App Store monopoly to impose "profit-killing" commissions. The developers were unhappy with Apple's 30 percent cut, an issue that was largely resolved when Apple introduced the App Store Small Business Program and cut commissions to 15 percent for developers making under $1 million in a given calendar year.
The final approval of the settlement must be supported by briefs, papers, and memos by April 29, 2022, and a fairness and final approval hearing will take place on June 7, 2022. When final approval is granted, developers will receive money from Apple.
