May 22, 2024 10:27:00

Claims that the US Department of Justice's lawsuit alleging that Apple is 'monopolizing the smartphone market' should be dismissed

On March 21, 2024, Apple was sued by the Department of Justice, 15 states, and the District of Columbia for violating various antitrust laws, including

the Sherman Act , a law that regulates market monopolies. In response, on May 21, 2024, Apple asked the judge to dismiss the lawsuit, stating that it was 'in the midst of intense competition with rival companies.'

Apple says US antitrust lawsuit should be dismissed | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/legal/apple-says-us-antitrust-lawsuit-should-be-dismissed-2024-05-21/

Apple slams DOJ antitrust lawsuit alleging smartphone monopoly, urges dismissal

https://nypost.com/2024/05/21/business/apple-slams-doj-antitrust-lawsuit-alleging-smartphone-monopoly-urges-dismissal/

On March 21, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice, 15 states, and the District of Columbia filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple, alleging that 'Apple has cornered users, monopolized the smartphone market, and inflated the prices consumers and developers pay.'

Apple sued by Department of Justice and 16 attorneys general for smartphone monopoly, Apple takes on 'dangerous precedent' - GIGAZINE

Apple responded by arguing that 'if successful, this lawsuit would hinder our ability to create the technology people expect from Apple and set a dangerous precedent for governments to wield greater power over people's technology design.'

Furthermore, on May 21, 2024, Apple submitted a letter to Judge Julian Neels of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey stating, 'Apple is far from a monopoly and faces intense competition from its rivals. Therefore, the Department of Justice and others' assertion that 'Apple has the ability to charge competitive prices to users and developers or to limit production in the smartphone market' is inappropriate.'

Apple also criticized the Department of Justice for relying on a novel theory of 'antitrust liability' that has not been recognized by any court, and moved to dismiss the case.

Additionally, in response to the claim that the iPhone locks consumers into its devices, Apple said, 'People who are unhappy with Apple's approach have every incentive to switch to a competitor's platform that doesn't have such restrictions.'

The court has asked the U.S. government to respond within seven days. The Department of Justice has not commented on Apple's allegations.