In a hearing in US District Court in New Jersey, Apple urged a federal judge to dismiss the antitrust lawsuit brought against it by the US Department of Justice and several states, saying that the charges contain speculative arguments and the government does not make a convincing case that the company has a monopoly. dominance. Apple previously filed a motion with the court to dismiss the claim, Bloomberg writes.
The lawsuit by the US Department of Justice and prosecutors in 19 states and the District of Columbia, filed in March of this year in a court in New Jersey, accuses Apple of violating antitrust laws by blocking third-party companies from accessing hardware and software features on its devices. The plaintiffs allege that Apple used its monopoly power over the distribution of iPhone apps and features to prevent innovations that would make it easier for consumers to switch phones and make it possible to use devices from other manufacturers alongside the iPhone.
The agency’s complaint provides five examples of Apple’s alleged anticompetitive behavior, including degrading messaging between iPhones and Android smartphones and limiting the functionality of third-party smartwatches when interacting with iPhones.
In turn, Apple’s lawyers urged the judge to dismiss the case due to the lack of real evidence in the lawsuit that the company has any monopoly power in the smartphone market or that anyone was harmed. It also stated that Apple has the legal right to choose who it does business with and is not obligated to improve its competitors’ chances.
US District Judge Julien Xavier Neals, who presided over the case, said following the hearing that he plans to make a decision on Apple’s motion by January 2025.