After much complaining in the community about Apple’s end user license agreement for iBooks Author, Apple has pushed a new update that clarifies the restrictions.
iBooks Author EULA:
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you want to charge a fee for a work that includes files in the .ibooks format generated using iBooks Author, you may only sell or distribute such work through Apple, and such distribution will be subject to a separate agreement with Apple. This restriction does not apply to the content of such works when distributed in a form that does not include files in the .ibooks format.
Turns out, Apple doesn’t actually care to own your content. They just want their 30 percent if you’re using their free tool to make money. That’s not an unreasonable position to take. At the very least, it is roughly consistent with the way Xcode works for iOS. Apple doesn’t want to own your app. They just want a cut of the revenue from using their resources.
Hate on iBooks Author all you want, but their EULA isn’t really unfair. If you don’t like the terms, that’s fine. Just use another tool to make your eBook. Apple isn’t in the business of making others money without getting theirs.