Apple 鬆綁 in-app subscription 限制

J Chiang
更新日期：

[作者：Eric Tsai]

Apple 最近修正了對於雜誌、報紙、書籍、影音出版品的上架拆帳規則，鬆綁了對於電子出版品的 in-app subscription 限制。

原本的規定要求所有提供收費訂閱的內容提供者都必須在 app store 中提供對應的訂閱服務，而且定價必須比其他付費訂閱的通路相同或更低。這個規定讓出版失去了對於定價的自主性，尤其是透過 app store 必須付給 Apple 30% 的抽成，但定價卻被限制不得高於其他通路的價格，最糟的是：出版商還拿不到訂戶資料。
修正後的規定如下

11.13 Apps that link to external mechanisms for purchases or subscriptions to be used in the app, such as a "buy" button that goes to a web site to purchase a digital book, will be rejected

11.14 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. Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues for approved content that is subscribed to or purchased outside of the app.

簡單來說，只要 app store 上架的軟體不要引導使用者到外面消費，其他 Apple 都不管了。雖然出版商對於 app store 不肯分享訂戶資料仍有意見，但是既然價格可以自主，反彈的聲浪應該會平息一些。