The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday on accusations that Apple is using its market dominance to jack up prices for iOS apps. A ruling against Apple, letting a lawsuit go forward, could add to pressure the company already faces to cut the 30% commission it charges on app sales, reports The Star.
The lawsuit was originally filed in late 2011 by a group of consumers accusing Apple of monopolizing the market for iOS apps by not allowing any other way of purchasing such apps beyond the company’s own online store.The case could expand the threat of antitrust damages against companies in the rapidly growing field of electronic commerce.
Apple and its tech-industry allies say a decision allowing the consumer lawsuit could open other companies that run online marketplaces and platforms to expensive antitrust claims. A broad ruling could affect Alphabet’s Google, Amazon, Facebook, Etsy, and DoorDash, according to The Star.
