Question regarding App Store Guideline (5.3.1)

Question

Created Jul ’16

Replies 3

Boosts 0

Views 1.2k

Participants 3

I was hoping to get more clairty around the App Store rule 5.3.1, which states, "Sweepstakes and contests must be sponsored by the developer of the app." My question is whether or not third party affiliates and/or co-sponsors would be accepted. Based on the way the rule is worded, I would imagine that as long as the developer/company is the primary sponsor (i.e., is the prize provider and the host of the contest), then the app would be acceptable. Or would Apple prohibit any contest that included 3rd party advertisers/co-sponsors/affiliates? Of course, it would be made clear that the developer is the primary sponsor and that Apple has no connection to the contest.

I was hoping someone could shed more light on this rule. At the very least, I was hoping someone could provide me with a way of getting an answer to this question. I was told that if I join iTunes Connect or the Apple Developers, then I might get an answer. Or perhpas there are some well known consulting firms that might help me with this?

Any help would be much appreciated.

Boost

Answer 1

KMT OP

Jul ’16

Call 'em up:

Worldwide Phone Number List: https://developer.apple.com/contact/phone.php

0

Answer 2

PBK OP

Jul ’16

You want opinions...

The guideline is "...must be sponsored by the developer". That means something like 'the devloper is solely responsible for this operation'. Your desire to be "the primary sponsor" may not suffice since assigning the role of 'co-sponsor' to someone else diminishes your role from 'sponsor' to 'co-sponsor' and no one knows what a 'primary sponsor' is - for example, who cares who provides the prizes or hosts the contest. Third parties might be 'advertisers' or 'affiliated with the sponsor'; they can even be 'providers of the prize' or 'host' but they can't be 'sponsors'. A 'sponsor' is reSPONSible for the contest.

0

Answer 3

twigs OP

Jul ’16

PBK, thank you! I appreciate your response. Although an opinion, it is helpful to get someone elses perspective on the rule. Your opinion has now trumped mine. I was actually able to reach out to the Apple Application Review specialist via e-mail - hopefully they respond. If they do, I'll let everyone know what they said.

Thanks again

0