Apple is changing the game as it goes along.

Your iPad will no longer be able to access your favourite European newspapers for free. Reports from Europe claim that European daily newspapers will no longer be able to give their users content without first going through Apple.

The idea is that Apple builds a sort of Newspaper iTunes. This way every newspaper subscription will be subject to an Apple fee. Like what musicians pay right now to Apple (30 cents from each 99 cent download). With the iPad 2 coming out very soon, I’m sure Apple will find their pockets fatten even more by controlling information like this.

Apple has reportedly told several European newspapers that they will no longer be able to offer print subscribers free access to the iPad editions of their publications.

The publishers told Dutch newspaper deVolkskrant (translated version) that Apple has issued “stricter rules” to ensure that it controls subscriber data and its 30% cut of revenue generated from those who want to access the publisher’s content in app form.

Online publication nrc.nl said that the new rules will go in effect April 1.

Such rules, should they extend to the UK and elsewhere, would disrupt the current subscription models of publications like The Economist, which offers the iPhone and iPad versions of its publication to digital and print subscribers for free.

Apple is expected to unveil a subscription model to coincide with the launch of The Daily, Rupert Murdoch’s forthcoming iPad-based newspaper. Numerous reports suggested that its launch was originally planned for January 19, but has since been pushed back. (via Mashable)

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