Reviewing news coverage of the Core Technology Fee, usually glossed over is that the CTF applies to every install of a marketplace. From Apple:
"Developers of alternative app marketplaces will pay the Core Technology Fee for every first annual install of their app marketplace, including installs that occur before one million."
Because marketplaces will usually be free, this makes it nearly impossible for them to work without charging developers just as much as Apple does, or having enough cash that it can lose money. Everything in Apple’s rules is designed to prevent anyone from using this.
@manton it applies to any app that stays in the App Store too. So you get double-taxed
@stroughtonsmith @manton Steve is that really correct? I was assuming so after reading it but on reflection this seems very unlikely. Unless I am misunderstanding, It would require both of:
1. you to install the app from the App Store *and* then delete and install it from a 3rd party app store (or vice versa) in a given year
2. AND it would rely on Apple not deduping these at least based on device. It seems like that must be happening as they still control the install process.