U.S. Justice Department sues Apple over its 'iPhone monopoly'

The DOJ is joined by 16 state and district attorneys general in claiming that Apple has violated Section 2 of the Sherman Act.

- JASON CROSS

The U.S. Department of Justice, joined by 16 state and district attorneys general, has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple (fave.co/31PFcHq) for monopolization or attempted monopolization of smartphone markets in violation of Section 2 of the Sherman Act. You can read the full text of the filling here (fave.co/3vywMBO, PDF).

The government alleges that Apple used contractual restrictions and technological restrictions to limit developers in such a way that it is more difficult for them to compete with Apple's own products and services, and more difficult for iPhone users to switch to Android. "Apple undermines apps, products, and services that would otherwise make

users less reliant on the iPhone,  promote interoperability, and lower  costs for consumers and developers.  Apple exercises its monopoly power  to extract more money from  consumers, developers, content  creators, artists, publishers, small  businesses, and merchants,  among others.”

U.S. Dept. of Justice

The suit also claims, "Unless Apple's anticompetitive and exclusionary conduct is stopped, it will likely extend and entrench its iPhone monopoly to other markets and parts of the economy."