Widget Image
Follow PPD Social Media
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
HomeNewsPoliticsSupreme Court Rules Against Apple in App Store Antitrust Case

Supreme Court Rules Against Apple in App Store Antitrust Case

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). (Photo: AdobeStock/bbourdages)

Justice Kavanaugh Joins Liberals in SCOTUS Decision Allowing iPhone Users to Sue for Antitrust Violations

The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). (Photo: AdobeStock/bbourdages)
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS). (Photo: AdobeStock/bbourdages)

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled iPhone users purchased apps directly from against Apple, Inc. (AAPL) and thus can sue for antitrust violations. They allege that Apple has monopolized the retail market for apps and has unlawfully used its power to charge consumers higher prices.

In a 5-4 decision affirms the ruling of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Worth noting, the Court did not decide the merits of the antitrust claims against Apple or any other defense. The opinion simply states Apple cannot rely on the direct-purchaser rule established by Illinois Brick as a defense.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan for the majority. Justice Neil Gorsuch dissented, and was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Clarence Thomas, and Justice Samuel Alito.

Ever since Congress overwhelmingly passed and President Benjamin Harrison signed the Sherman Act in 1890, “protecting consumers from monopoly prices” has been “the central concern of antitrust.” 2A Areeda & Hovenkamp ¶345, at 179. The consumers here purchased apps directly from Apple, and they allege that Apple used its monopoly power over the retail apps market to charge higher-than-competitive prices. Our decision in Illinois Brick does not bar the consumers from suing Apple for Apple’s allegedly monopolistic conduct. We affirm the judgment of the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh for the majority in Apple Inc. v. Pepper et al.
Written by

People's Pundit Daily delivers reader-funded data journalism covering the latest news in politics, polls, elections, business, the economy and markets.

Latest comment

  • Good information, but the article needs a proofreader BADLY.

    I’ve seen better writing from 6th graders.

leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

People's Pundit Daily
You have %%pigeonMeterAvailable%% free %%pigeonCopyPage%% remaining this month. Get unlimited access and support reader-funded, independent data journalism.

Start a 14-day free trial now. Pay later!

Start Trial