Apple's Beats brand in April unveiled the Powerbeats Pro, a redesigned wire-free version of its popular fitness-oriented Powerbeats earbuds.
Japanese FTC Investigating Apple's Partnerships With Suppliers
Japan's Fair Trade Commission is investigating Apple to determine whether it pressured Japanese suppliers and abused its position of power, thereby violating antimonopoly rules, reports Reuters.
The FTC in Japan surveyed Japanese companies and found that Apple had signed contracts forcing its partners to provide free technology and know-how for parts manufacturing.
When one of the companies called Apple's contract an infringement of intellectual property rights and demanded a revision, Apple allegedly threatened to end the business relationship between the two companies.
Apple has not commented on the report, but this is just one of several antitrust investigations that have been launched in recent months.
In South Korea, Apple has been accused of offering local carriers unfair iPhone contracts that require them to pay advertising and repair costs, and in Europe, the European Union is investigating Apple's App Store policies following an accusation from Spotify that said Apple uses its App Store to deliberately disadvantage other app developers.
In the United States, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating the impact of Apple's sales agreement with Amazon on independent resellers, and the U.S. has also launched a broad antitrust review into major tech companies.
The FTC in Japan surveyed Japanese companies and found that Apple had signed contracts forcing its partners to provide free technology and know-how for parts manufacturing.
When one of the companies called Apple's contract an infringement of intellectual property rights and demanded a revision, Apple allegedly threatened to end the business relationship between the two companies.
Apple has not commented on the report, but this is just one of several antitrust investigations that have been launched in recent months.
In South Korea, Apple has been accused of offering local carriers unfair iPhone contracts that require them to pay advertising and repair costs, and in Europe, the European Union is investigating Apple's App Store policies following an accusation from Spotify that said Apple uses its App Store to deliberately disadvantage other app developers.
In the United States, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission is investigating the impact of Apple's sales agreement with Amazon on independent resellers, and the U.S. has also launched a broad antitrust review into major tech companies.
Tag: Japan
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6 weeks ago
I watched a news program a few years back that followed a very small manufacturing factory here in Japan. As has often been the case in Japan, manufacturing craftsmanship is some of the best in the world, and they won business with Apple by creating a small metal part in an iPhone that no other manufacturer in the world could (think it was the iPhone 4 days maybe).
They continued manufacturing for a coupe of more models, but during this period was asked by Apple for details on its manufacturing process. They trusted Apple (silly maybe, but this place is run by a guy in his 60’s, being a craftsman all his life. Not a businessman), but turns out by the following year a large Chinese manufacturer had somehow figured out how to make the part that had been impossible for them, Apple quickly cut ties with the Japanese manufacturer and went with what was now a cheaper part made in China. I was disgusted at the time.
The Macrumors article might be talking about this particular case.
They continued manufacturing for a coupe of more models, but during this period was asked by Apple for details on its manufacturing process. They trusted Apple (silly maybe, but this place is run by a guy in his 60’s, being a craftsman all his life. Not a businessman), but turns out by the following year a large Chinese manufacturer had somehow figured out how to make the part that had been impossible for them, Apple quickly cut ties with the Japanese manufacturer and went with what was now a cheaper part made in China. I was disgusted at the time.
The Macrumors article might be talking about this particular case.
6 weeks ago
Apple accused Qualcomm of monopolistic practices. I guess what's good for the goose is not good for the gander.
6 weeks ago
Apple engaging in shady business practices as usual.
Who among us is shocked by this? :D
Who among us is shocked by this? :D
6 weeks ago
Not surprised at all. Apple is a company capable of doing this and much more. They are very courageous after all...
6 weeks ago
Realistically what can the Japanese FTC do? Levy a fine? Drag on a court case? I am not sure the Japanese economy can afford starting a trade war with the United States.
Why would you think this has anything to do with a trade war? It has nothing to do with a trade war.
6 weeks ago
The powerful taking advantage over the less powerful. A fact scaling from the school yard to criminals, world politics and business. Sometimes I wish humans displayed more honor and respect instead of pure basic instincts such as greed.
6 weeks ago
Corporations don't care about doing good. They only care about how their sheep perceive them and how much they can milk them for. Apple is no different.
6 weeks ago
The unfortunate thing about capitalism is that profit takes priority, resulting in very distasteful decisions. I’m a share holder myself, but I believe ethics should take priority over profit.
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