A US patent filing shows that Apple is developing a system for reselling or "lending" purchased content like music, movies and, of course, games.
Based on the patent description, Apple may create a "used" section in its various stores, as well as allow direct user-to-user transfers. The process will require apps to meet certain "parameters" before being sold: Those parameters could be obvious things like verification that the app is licensed by Apple, but could also indicate that app will need a minimum retail value to qualify for resale. So no, you will not be reselling a free games to unsuspecting iPhone-owners who don't know better.
The system may not entirely for commercial purposes: Friends who want to "trade" games may be able to circumvent the process of purchasing items. The system could also be used for something akin to Amazon's Kindle "lending" feature, where select media can be transferred to a friend for a designated period.
Apple's move to start selling used games goes against the trend being established by large game publishers and console makers, who look to hinder used game sales with online passes. Though Sony has said the PS4 will play used games, vague language suggests there may be a system in place to limit their usage.
Apple will be making a lot of new enemies enabling the sale of used apps from publishers who prefer to be the only available provider for their content. The repercussions could range from a shift away from iOS to Android and Windows Phone, to signifigant price hikes in the App Store by content-providers looking to compensate for the potential loss of revenue.
On the other hand, gaming retailers like GameStop insist that peoeple are more likely to buy game and gaming hardware when used software is available: "Console manufacturers understand that recent surveys indicate 60+ percent of video game consumers would be less likely to purchase a new console that did not play pre-owned games," GameStop president Tony Bartel tells Forbes. "Also, used games generate more than $1 billion of trade credit annually, 70 percent of which is credited towards purchasing new games and new hardware." Statistics like that could be enough to sway developers looking for exposure.
