Minnesota bill aims to allow developers to avoid Apple’s and Google’s app fees

There are fees associated with using not only Apple’s App Store, but also Google‘s option, Google Play. But some folks want to see those fees abolished, and state legislatures in the United States are part of the process. This time around it’s Minnesota.

As reported by the Star Tribune, a bill moving forward in the Minnesota state legislature would make it possible for developers in the state to bypass in-app purchase rules. The bill would make it possible for those developers to sell their apps for the iPhone and Android handsets in basically any way they want — and those apps would need to remain in the App Store and in Google Play as well.

The goal? To avoid Apple’s and Google’s commissions.

It’s not a secret that Apple doesn’t allow for developers to use their own payment options. Customers must use Apple’s payment option for in-app purchases. From that, Apple collects a fee. It is either 15 percent or 30 percent, depending on a variety of different factors.

If the bill passes, it would mean that developers based out of Minnesota would be able to use an alternative option for in-app purchases. If that sounds familiar, it’s because Epic Games tried to do the same thing late last year. But Apple’s rules don’t allow for that, so Epic Games had its mega-popular battle royale game Fortnite pulled from the App Store (and Google’s own option). And then Epic Games launched a lawsuit against Apple (and Google) that was months in planning.

A similar bill like this was submitted in North Dakota not too long ago. However, that did not pass. And, as it stands right now, it remains to be seen whether or not this one will pass.