Apple was accused of violating U.S. antitrust law by a group of French app developers who argue it engages in unfair pricing on the App Store.
A group of French app developers filed the suit in the Northern District Court of California against Apple, alleging that it is manipulating its market prices to make competition difficult. The group includes Societe du Figaro, which develops the Figaro news app, L’Equipe 24/24, which runs the L’Equipe sports app, and the French coalition of publishers Le Geste.
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The lawsuit argues that Apple has taken action to exclude other competitors by restricting app market access. “Apple has the power to exclude competition in the relevant market, and it has willfully used that power, including by way of its unlawful practices in restraint of trade as described herein, in order to achieve, maintain, and expand monopoly power in that market,” the lawsuit reads, according to documents viewed by the Washington Examiner.
This market limitation enabled Apple to charge “supracompetitive” rates on the Apple App Store and $99 annual fees to app developers while limiting app availability.
“There is no valid business necessity or pro-competitive justification for Apple’s conduct,” the complaint argued. “Instead, Apple’s actions are designed to destroy competition.”
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The suit requested that the court certify the case as a class action and that it award them appropriate relief.
This is not the first suit against Apple over its App Store policies. The company reached a $100 million settlement with several smaller iOS developers over the App Store’s 30% commission rate.
Legislators are considering at least one bill that would empower iPhone and Android phones to download apps from third-party stores. There is also legislation that would require Apple and other Big Tech companies to lower their commissions or offer alternative options, as requested by Epic Games in its 2021 trial.
Apple did not respond to requests for comment.
