By Apple has called on a federal judge to throw out the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit, contending that the government has not demonstrated the company’s dominance in the smartphone industry.
During a hearing in Newark, New Jersey, Apple attorney Devora Allon argued that the government has not sufficiently established that Apple holds monopoly power. Apple maintains that the case represents an attempt at a “judicial overhaul” of the iPhone and criticizes the government’s claims as overly hypothetical.
DOJ Antitrust Lawsuit Against Apple: Key Developments
- Allegations of Monopoly Power
Earlier this year, the Department of Justice, joined by over a dozen states, filed a lawsuit against Apple, accusing the company of maintaining an unlawful monopoly in the smartphone market. The allegations include practices such as degrading message quality between iPhones and Android devices and restricting third-party smartwatch compatibility. - DOJ Counters Apple’s Defense
DOJ attorney Jonathan Lasken opposed Apple’s motion to dismiss, arguing, “The court can rely on common sense. The claim that [Apple] lacks monopoly power and is instead at the mercy of much smaller global competitors is implausible.” - Judge’s Upcoming Decision
US District Court Judge Julien Xavier Neals, who presided over the Newark hearing, is expected to decide by January whether the lawsuit will proceed as it stands or if certain claims will be dismissed. - Potential Impact of Administration Change
The lawsuit’s trajectory could shift with the upcoming presidential transition. While the case originated under President Joe Biden’s administration, President-elect Donald Trump’s DOJ will inherit it. However, given Trump’s previous critical stance on “Big Tech” and his administration’s track record with tech firms, Apple may not gain a reprieve from the change.
