Apple eases rules around App Store ahead of Epic Games ruling

US tech giant Apple has eased back rules regarding its App Store as part of an effort to settle a lawsuit brought by developers in advance of a ruling in a separate case brought against it by the makers of the highly popular video game Fortnite.

Apple will permit app developers to inform users about payment methods outside of its App Store, where the firm charges up to 30% commission on transactions.

The Californian company also offered to establish a $100.0m fund for small developers and vowed to maintain commission rates at lower levels for small businesses, according to the terms of the settlement.

Apple's move comes ahead of a ruling in a case between it and Fortnite developer Epic Games, which has accused it of running the App Store as a monopoly to exploit mobile apps for a major chunk of their income.