The Apple App Store is the only channel through which app developers may distribute their apps on iOS. First launched in 2008, the App Store has evolved into a highly profitable marketplace, with overall consumer spend exceeding $50 billion in 2019. However, concerns are being increasingly expressed on both sides of the Atlantic that various practices of Apple with regard to the App Store may breach competition law. The purpose of this paper is to examine whether this is indeed the case and, if so, how these concerns can be addressed. With these aims in mind, the paper first introduces the reader to the app ecosystem and the Apple App Store, with a focus on Apple’s in-app payment policies and the 30 percent commission charged for in-app purchases. After engaging critically with the distinction between apps selling “digital” and apps selling “physical” goods or services, we consider such distinction is unclear, artificial, and unprincipled.

中文翻译：

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反对APPLE APP STORE的反案件

Apple App Store是应用程序开发人员可以在iOS上分发其应用程序的唯一渠道。App Store于2008年首次推出，现已发展成为一个利润丰厚的市场，到2019年，总体消费者支出将超过500亿美元。但是，大西洋两岸越来越多的人担心Apple在App Store方面的各种做法可能违反竞争法。本文的目的是研究是否确实如此，如果是，那么如何解决这些问题。考虑到这些目标，本文首先向读者介绍了应用程序生态系统和Apple App Store，重点介绍了Apple的应用程序内支付政策以及对应用程序内购买收取的30％佣金。在严格区分销售“数字”的应用之间的区别之后”和销售“物理”商品或服务的应用，我们认为这种区分是不清楚，人为和无原则的。