The Department of Justice’s antitrust division has proven its mettle by filing its third tech monopoly lawsuit in four years. The experts have analyzed the complaint filed against Apple on Thursday, accusing the tech giant of violating antitrust law. The DOJ’s complaint outlines a series of behaviors by Apple that allegedly constitute illegal monopoly maintenance, making it difficult for consumers to switch away from their products despite high prices and decreased quality.
Antitrust professor Rebecca Haw Allensworth praised the DOJ’s case, stating that it paints a clear picture of how Apple maintains its dominance by sacrificing consumer benefits. She believes that the lawsuit presents a strong argument for consumer harm, setting it apart from previous suits against tech giants like Amazon.
However, the DOJ faces an uphill battle in proving Apple’s monopoly status, particularly in defining the relevant market. The government alleges that Apple holds a 65-70 percent share of the smartphone market in the US, a figure that Apple disputes. The court will have to determine whether this market share gives Apple the power to exclude competitors and harm consumers.
The DOJ’s case against Apple draws on lessons learned from previous antitrust lawsuits, such as Epic’s battle with Apple over the App Store. By taking a broader view of Apple’s conduct and highlighting the cumulative impact of its anticompetitive behavior, the DOJ aims to show how Apple’s actions harm consumers in the long run.
Overall, the DOJ’s lawsuit against Apple presents a significant challenge for both parties, with the outcome likely to have far-reaching implications for the tech industry. The court will have to carefully consider the evidence presented by both sides to determine whether Apple’s actions constitute illegal monopoly behavior.