French software developers filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc. on Monday, claiming that the iPhone manufacturer had overcharged them for access to its app store, in violation of U.S. antitrust law.
Société du Figaro, which creates the Figaro news app, L’Équipe 24/24, which creates the L’Équipe sports news and streaming app, and Le Geste, a group of French content creators, are the plaintiffs in the proposed class action.
The complaint asserts that by requiring just one app store for mobile devices running iOS, Apple has abused its monopoly power over app distribution. The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Oakland, California.
The plaintiffs claimed that by doing this, the Cupertino, California-based business has been able to stifle innovation and customer choice while charging “supracompetitive” 30 percent commissions for 14 years and $99 yearly fees to app developers.
Apple’s actions are not justified by any legitimate business needs or pro-competitive considerations, the complaint stated. Apple’s measures, on the other hand, aim to eliminate competition.
