The European Newspaper Publishers' Association (ENPA) has spoken out against the "restrictive conditions" that some technology companies -- notably Apple -- saddle on newspaper subscribers and publishers.
The association, which represents some 5,200 national, regional and local papers in and around the European Union, has made a public statement addressing three major problems it has with Apple's terms and conditions for app makers.
One of the group's biggest peeves is that Apple recently said newspapers and magazines may no longer be able to offer a free digital copies of their publications alongside a traditional, print counterpart. Seeing as this takes Apple out of the loop, and circumvents its 30 percent revenue share, the platform owner has reportedly made plans to clamp down on free subscriptions.
"Publishers today want to provide readers with a range of attractive options," ENPA says, "including offers combining access to newspapers online and on tablets, or offers for print subscribers that also allow access to the newspaper on digital formats."
Recently, Apple denied rumors that it would stop customers from buying subscriptions through publishers' own websites. However, it is enforcing a rule that says newspaper and e-book apps must also including an option to purchase the same content through an Apple-sanctioned in-app purchase.
Another problem, ENPA says, is that Apple keeps customers and publishers at arms length. "Without direct access to their subscribers, this vital bond between newspapers and readers would be broken, to the detriment of both."
Finally, publishers should have "freedom of choice of payment systems for their readers and the possibility to negotiate pricing levels for their digital publications."
Apple has started to roll out subscriptions with News Corp's iPad-only paper, The Daily. At the app's press conference, Apple's Eddy Cue said the subscription model would be made widely available to other publishers "very soon".
