Tracker Detail
US v. Apple Inc.
Name | Type | Government | Date Initiated | Status | Last Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
US v. Apple Inc. | Litigation | United States | Mar 21, 2024 | amended complaint filed | Oct 30, 2024 |
Summary
The Department of Justice (DOJ) and state attorney generals from 16 states filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple for monopolizing or attempted monopolizing smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. The complaint alleges that Apple:
- Illegally maintains a monopoly over smartphones by selectively imposing contractual restrictions on developers and withholding critical access points,
- Undermines apps, products, and services that would otherwise make users less reliant on the iPhone, promote interoperability, and lower costs for consumers and developers,
- Exercises its monopoly power to extract more money from consumers, developers, content creators, artists, publishers, small businesses, and merchants, among others.
Through this monopolization lawsuit, the Justice Department and state Attorneys General are seeking relief to restore competition to these vital markets on behalf of the American public.
Updates
March 21, 2024. Fourteen conservative organizations and individuals submit a letter to the Department of Justice in support of the antitrust lawsuit, emphasizing Apple's economic ties to the Chinese government.
June 11, 2024. DOJ filed an amended complaint.
August 1, 2024. Apple filed a motion to dismiss.
September 12, 2024. DOJ filed a brief in opposition to Apple's motion to dismiss the first amended complaint.
September 27, 2024. Samsung filed a non-party letter to the court regarding the omission of "standard confidentiality protections" for information provided by non-parties who directly compete with Apple.
October 4, 2024. Apple requested permission from the court to have Apple employees present at the technology tutorial scheduled in November.
October 7, 2024. DOJ filed a motion opposing defendant's motion to have Apple employees present at the technology tutorial.
October 25, 2024. Apple and DOJ filed a joint motion regarding the terms and formatting of the technology tutorials without reaching an agreement. DOJ re-asserts its objection to the proposed Apple employees presenting at the tutorials, arguing they are "potential fact witnesses." Apple says its employees are key to understanding the products, services, and features the courts are evaluating.
October 30, 2024. The parties reached an agreement on the format of the pending technology tutorials, but which Apple employees the company wishes to present on its behalf are not yet approved.
Additional Resources
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA v. APPLE INC. (2:24-cv-04055) - CourtListener
U.S and Plaintiff States v. Apple Inc. - US Department of Justice
