Certainly, yes.

However, there is a space of potential solutions to this problem, many of which don't involve giving Apple money.

Somehow Apple chose a solution which would involve developers giving Apple what is for many people and open source projects a significant sum of money.

Then, Apple decided to not directly tell Apple users that the thing standing between them and the software they downloaded is that Apple believes the developer needs to give Apple money.

What a fascinating turn of events.