Two California-based app developers alleged that Apple engaged in anticompetitive conduct by only allowing the downloading of iPhone apps through Apple’s official App Store.
Two app developers this week sued Apple Inc over its App Store practices, making claims similar to those in a lawsuit brought by consumers that the U. S. Supreme Court recently allowed to proceed.
California-based app developer Donald R. Cameron and Illinois Pure Sweat Basketball alleged in federal court in San Jose, California that Apple engaged in anticompetitive conduct by only allowing the downloading of iPhone apps through Apple’s official App Store. Apple also requires developers to price their apps in tiers ending in 99 cents and takes up to a 30% commission from developers on the sale of apps.
„This practice is analogous to a monopsonist retailer paying artificially low wholesale prices to its suppliers,“ the developers said in their suit. „In both paradigms a competitive market would yield better post-commission or wholesale prices, and fairer profit, for developers‘ digital products.
