Apple launches claims website: U.S. developers can pay up to $30,000

In August, Apple announced its willingness to pay a $100 million settlement to settle a class-action lawsuit filed by U.S. developers. As of today, websites that allow developers to submit claims are already online. The $100 million will be allocated as part of a "Small Developer Assistance Fund," which developers can claim $250 to $30,000 in damages based on their historical engagement in the App Store.

You can now submit an application using the small developer assistance website, which also has tools to estimate payments. Eligible US developers must meet the following criteria for the application.

● Sold at a non-zero price.

● Sell through Apple's iOS App Store between 2015 and 2021

● For each calendar year from 2015 to 2021, any other iOS app or in-app product (including subscriptions) sold through all of your relevant developer accounts earns equal to or less than $1 million through the APP Store US storefront where you have a developer account.

According to the settlement, there are approximately 67,000 qualified developers. Developers with less than $100 in revenue will receive a potential minimum payment of $250, while developers with more than $1 million will be entitled to a $30,000 payment. The minimum payment amount will change based on the total number of claims.

The lawsuit dates back to 2019, when a group of iOS developers accused Apple of using its monopoly position in the App Store to impose commissions that "erase profits." The lawsuit disputed Apple's 30 percent cut from App Store sales and largely addressed the issue by announcing the App Store Small Business Plan at the end of 2020 to cut the commissions that small developers had to pay to 15 percent.

While paying developers $100 million, Apple agreed to make some other concessions. Perhaps the biggest concession is that Apple will allow developers to share information about payment methods other than iOS apps using communication methods such as email. Developers will not pay Apple a commission on purchases made outside the App Store.

Apple is also expanding the number of subscription price points offered to developers, and the company has agreed to maintain the App Store Small Business program and App Store search without making any changes for at least three years. Apple has also pledged to continue to provide developers with the option to appeal app rejection and will create an annual transparency report based on App Store data covering app rejections, apps removed from the App Store, searching for information, and more.

Developers will need to submit a claim by May 20, 2022 to receive payment from Apple, and a final approval hearing will be held on June 7, 2022. The actual payment date will vary depending on whether there are objections, how long it will take to resolve them, and whether the agreement is finally approved by the court.