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Apple Asks Judge to Dismiss App Store Monopoly Lawsuit

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Apple has asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Apple has an illegal monopoly because the iPhone does not allow users to use alternative app stores by default, reports Bloomberg.
Attorneys who filed the suit in 2011 claim that a monopoly exists because an iPhone user who doesn't want to pay what developers charge for applications available through Apple's App Store can't go anywhere else to buy them. Apple requires iPhone software developers to turn over 30 percent of what they charge for an application, increasing prices and excluding competitors from the iPhone "aftermarket" of applications, they claim.

Apple doesn't set the price for paid applications, and charging a price for distribution of a product on a new and unique platform doesn't violate any antitrust laws, said Dan Wall, Apple's attorney, at yesterday's court hearing in Oakland, California.
Click to expand...
The plaintiffs argue that because a consumer can't buy Angry Birds for the iPhone from an alternative app store, Apple has an illegal monopoly and is reducing consumer choice.

This isn't the first time Apple has been accused of running an illegal monopoly. The iTunes Store and iBookstore have previously been the subject of lawsuits. This lawsuit was originally filed in 2011, in the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California (Oakland).

Article Link: Apple Asks Judge to Dismiss App Store Monopoly Lawsuit
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2013/03/06/apple-asks-judge-to-dismiss-app-store-monopoly-lawsuit/
S

shaunp

Cancelled
Nov 5, 2010
1,811
1,395
They do know that having an iphone isn't compulsory, don't they? Other phones are available and they are free to choose one of those. Muppets!
 
Dr McKay

Dr McKay

macrumors 68040
Aug 11, 2010
3,430
57
Kirkland
shaunp said:
They do know that having an iphone isn't compulsory, don't they? Other phones are available and they are free to choose one of those. Muppets!
Click to expand...

The "If you don't like it, leave" doesn't fly with Monopoly investigations.
 
G

genovelle

macrumors 68020
May 8, 2008
2,100
2,677
If there were no options like buying another phone, maybe, but this is a waste of time and money.
 
S

shaunp

Cancelled
Nov 5, 2010
1,811
1,395
Yep, I don't get that either. You don't HAVE to buy Windows if you don't want to. Other platforms are available.
 
ChrisTX

ChrisTX

macrumors 68030
Dec 30, 2009
2,690
54
Texas
There is no need to offer competing App repositories on any of Apples iOS enabled devices. App makers set the price, and will likely offer the same price for their apps elsewhere.
 
A

Aidan5806

macrumors 6502
Feb 20, 2012
312
0
That's just how Apple works and always has. If you don't like it don't buy their devices. Get over it.
 
nburwell

nburwell

macrumors 603
May 6, 2008
5,445
2,356
DE
This is just silly. We are free to choose which phone we want to buy. I chose the iPhone. I absolutely without a doubt do not want the Android App Store (or whatever the heck it's called) on my iPhone. If I did, I would obviously own an Android phone.
 
J

Jsameds

Suspended
Apr 22, 2008
3,525
7,987
Its all rather stupid really. If you want access to more than the App Store then get an android phone. No-one is forcing you to use an iPhone!
 
G

genovelle

macrumors 68020
May 8, 2008
2,100
2,677
Dr McKay said:
The "If you don't like it, leave" doesn't fly with Monopoly investigations.
Click to expand...
You can't be a monopoly in and of yourself. Your cable company is not required to support downloading of other sources to the cable box you get from them.
 
heisenberg123

heisenberg123

macrumors 603
Oct 31, 2010
6,496
9
Hamilton, Ontario
apple fanboys are strange cats, if this article was about only being able to install software on your Mac by way of the MAS, the fanboys would be upset, change the platform and the fanboys are upset people want options
 
Dr McKay

Dr McKay

macrumors 68040
Aug 11, 2010
3,430
57
Kirkland
genovelle said:
You can't be a monopoly in and of yourself. Your cable company is not required to support downloading of other sources to the cable box you get from them.
Click to expand...

You can use logic and reason all you want, it doesn't matter. Once they've decided you're being a monopoly, they're pretty set in their ways. Look at Microsoft getting hammered for Internet Explorer being included with Windows.

vmachiel said:
Monopoly? Ever heard of the countless android choice and WP/BB10?
No one is forcing you onto iOS
Click to expand...

That's not the point of the article, its about you not being able to change defaults, and the fact that if you don't like a price on the App Store, there is nowhere else to turn to to get the app.
 
SmileyBlast!

SmileyBlast!

macrumors 6502a
Mar 1, 2011
654
43
Is it really a monopoly when the average iOS owner spends maybe $50.00 a year on their Apps?
Is it really a monopoly when there are alternate stores like Cydia?
This is a lawsuit for the sake of having a lawsuit.
I think they would have grounds if no other phones existed and no other app. stores.
Also with millions of apps. in the App. store if you can't find a free alternative to some app that is being sold then you really aren't even trying. :rolleyes:
 
U

unlimitedx

macrumors 6502a
Jun 15, 2010
635
0
this is like complaining that someone can't use sonicare brush heads on an oral-b electric toothbrush.......
 
Northgrove

Northgrove

macrumors 65816
Aug 3, 2010
1,149
437
There are good technical reasons to why I think this should be OK.

Apple should ask how they are supposed to guarantee the quality, software and security-wise, of the apps in the App Store and thus protect their brand value if they are no longer in control of the apps sold.

Apple is a company that really consider the software a part of the product.
 
M

michaywood

macrumors newbie
Feb 3, 2011
16
0
Having alternative app stores would just turn the iphone experience into a crappy Android-type one where apps aren't reviewed and anyone can submit apps for release, causing for a lot more unhappy iPhone users cause this sweet new game they just downloaded crashes every time they open the app...

I understand this happens anyways, which bugs and what not, but from being a previous Android user, this was a LOT more prevalent
 
iMaven

iMaven

macrumors 6502
Jan 21, 2011
324
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Apple developers can offer a low resolution, ad-laden, free app for those who don't want to pay.
 
V

vmachiel

macrumors 68000
Feb 15, 2011
1,772
1,440
Holland
heisenberg123 said:
apple fanboys are strange cats, if this article was about only being able to install software on your Mac by way of the MAS, the fanboys would be upset, change the platform and the fanboys are upset people want options
Click to expand...

That is because the Mac has been open to all software from the start. The iPhone app store was always closed so we knew what we were getting into.
 
gotluck

gotluck

macrumors 603
Dec 8, 2011
5,712
1,204
East Central Florida
bring on the hate...

it would be absolutely wonderful if one could install third party apps from alternative sources without a jailbreak

bring on "advanced user mode"

I bought the iphone, it's mine, let me put what I want on it. Should be treated like a PC IMO. The lockdown only benefits Apple / certain developers / people that cant handle freedom (tech newbies that shouldn't enable 'advanced mode').
 
silvetti

silvetti

macrumors 6502a
Nov 24, 2011
952
376
Poland
How is this monopoly ? Monopoly would be if every phone came with iOS and Apple forced Samsung, Motorola etc thru deals and pressure to make them use their OS and not the competition.

This type of lawsuits only exist in the US, the most ridiculous judicial system where everyone can sue everyone for everything, even if it makes absolutely NO SENSE.
 
Krazy Bill

Krazy Bill

macrumors 68030
Dec 21, 2011
2,985
3
This lawsuit sounds frivolous but it's the truth. Apple's famous walled garden exists for this purpose.
 
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