Jun 9, 2011 13:06 GMT  ·  By

Apple has changed its in-app subscriptions policy that forced publishers to charge the “same price or less” for subscriptions outside their app.

According to the new terms, there are now no guidelines on price at all.

Apple has also eliminated the rule that said external subscriptions be offered as an in-app purchase.

In other words, publishers whose apps were doomed by a recent stipulation due to go into effect June 30th still have a shot at doing business in the App Store.

They’ll be able to offer their subscriptions at any price they desire, and they’ll no longer be required to offer identical subscriptions in their apps.

Apple’s only demand is that developers do not put a “buy” button in their apps that links to an external subscription page.

A fragment from a copy of the new terms (via MacRumors) states:

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.

Those like the Financial Times who recently launched a web app instead of an iOS app to avoid paying Apple a 30 percent cut will be glad to hear that Apple is easing off its tight control over in-app purchases:

11.13 Apps can read or play approved content (magazines, newspapers, books, audio, music, video) that is sold outside of the app, for which Apple will not receive any portion of the revenues, provided that the same content is also offered in the app using IAP at the same price or less than it is offered outside the app. This applies to both purchased content and subscriptions.