Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Alleging App Store Monopoly

NewImageA federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Apple that alleged the company had an illegal monopoly because the iPhone does not allow users to use alternative app stores.

Apple had requested that the suit be dismissed because Apple doesn't set the price for paid applications and because charging a price for distribution of products on a platform does not violate antitrust laws.

However, the suit was dismissed on a something of a technicality and can be refiled at a later date. Bloomberg reports:

The plaintiffs failed to prove “collective allegations that they have been deprived of lower cost alternatives, paid higher prices for Apple-approved applications, or had their iPhones disabled or destroyed,” [U.S. District Judge Yvonne] Gonzalez wrote. “At a minimum, plaintiffs must allege facts showing that each named plaintiff has personally suffered an injury-in-fact based on Apple’s alleged conduct.”

A lawyer for the plaintiffs told Bloomberg that they can refile with "no difficulty" and will argue that Apple has "cornered the distribution market for software for the iPhone".

Top Rated Comments

Jsameds Avatar
139 months ago
Good, the whole thing was stupid anyway as it's their own platform. It's like saying Waterstone's has a monopoly on book sales in their own stores. Well duh!
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MetalMoon Avatar
139 months ago
If you don't like the app store, then perhaps its time to find a different phone.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Daalseth Avatar
139 months ago
Yes, Yes he can...

A lawyer for the plaintiffs told Bloomberg that they can refile with "no difficulty"

And he will as long as he can keep getting paid to do it. This isn't about right or wrong. It isn't about freedom. It's about a lawyers greed.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DaveGee Avatar
139 months ago

A lawyer for the plaintiffs told Bloomberg that they can refile with "no difficulty" and will argue that Apple has "cornered the distribution market for software for the iPhone".

"cornered the distribution market for software for the iPhone"??

Like Microsoft has cornered the market on x-box software distribution?
Like Sony has cornered the market on play station software distribution??
Like Nintendo has cornered the market on wii software distribution???

Yea....
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Catalyx Avatar
139 months ago
I don't see how Apple is obligated to allow other app distribution systems on their own platform when there are other options for consumers in the smartphone market.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Trius Avatar
139 months ago
This is nothing but a ridiculous money grab.. What's next? Force Apple to sell Samsung phones in their stores? After all, by this logic, Apple holds a monopoly on cell phones sold in their retail stores...
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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