Apple has called for the dismissal of the Department of Justice’s antitrust case against it, arguing that the government’s complaint is based on speculative claims and lacks sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Apple holds monopoly power. The company contends that the government has failed to establish a clear case of monopoly and that its arguments are unfounded.
In response, DOJ attorney Jonathan Lasken argued at a New Jersey hearing on Wednesday that the case hinges on the assertion that it is not credible for Apple to claim it lacks monopoly power. Instead, Lasken suggested that Apple, despite its size, is allegedly at the mercy of smaller competitors, some of which are global giants in their own right.
Earlier this year, the government, alongside more than a dozen states, filed a lawsuit accusing Apple of maintaining an illegal monopoly in the smartphone market, which allegedly led to inflated prices and limited consumer choice within its ecosystem. The government pointed to five specific actions Apple took that it believes to be anticompetitive, including issues with message quality between iPhones and Android phones and restrictions placed on third-party smartwatches working with iPhones.
Apple has dismissed the government’s case as speculative, arguing that it amounts to a “judicial redesign” of the iPhone. The company has worked to minimize its influence, claiming that the government fails to demonstrate a large enough market share to substantiate claims of monopoly power. Additionally, Apple has downplayed the harm to third-party developers, referring to the plaintiffs in the case as “well-capitalized social media companies, major banks, and global gaming developers.”
The decision now lies with U.S. District Court Judge Julien Xavier Neals, who will determine whether the DOJ’s case against Apple can move forward in its current form or if any parts of the complaint should be dismissed. Judge Neals indicated that he hopes to make his decision by January, according to reports from Bloomberg.
A key factor in the case is the potential shift in the administration, with President-elect Donald Trump set to take office soon. Although the DOJ’s case against Apple was initiated under President Joe Biden’s administration, Trump and his likely appointees have consistently criticized “Big Tech” companies. Trump’s DOJ took action against other tech giants during his first term, so Apple cannot rely on a change in leadership to bring a more favorable outcome.
In sum, Apple is seeking to have the antitrust case dismissed, arguing that the government’s claims are speculative and lack evidence to prove it has monopoly power. The case now depends on the ruling of a federal judge, with potential implications tied to the incoming administration’s stance on tech regulation.