UK Developers' Class Action Lawsuit Against Apple Proceeds
A class action lawsuit representing around 13,000 British app developers against Apple can move forward after the company's second attempt to dismiss the case failed. The lawsuit centers on Apple's monopolistic control over iPhone app sales through its App Store, forcing developers to accept allegedly unreasonable commission rates. The developers seek repayment of up to £785 million ($995 million) in commissions.
Background: Antitrust Cases and Apple's App Store Monopoly
This lawsuit follows similar antitrust cases in the EU and US challenging Apple's App Store practices. The EU's Digital Markets Act now requires Apple to allow third-party app stores on iOS devices, although Apple's implementation has been criticized. In the US, a case brought by Epic Games resulted in Apple being required to allow developers to link to alternative in-app purchase methods. You can read more about data regulation and its potential impact on app stores.
The UK Class Action: Details and Implications
The UK class action, led by competition policy professor Sean Ennis, argues that Apple's App Store monopoly forced developers to accept unfair commission levels. Apple's initial attempt to dismiss the case based on jurisdiction was rejected earlier this year. The company's subsequent appeal to the UK's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has also been dismissed. This ruling could have significant financial implications for Apple, potentially costing the company hundreds of millions in repaid commissions. For insights into other legal challenges faced by tech companies, see this article on Indonesia's demands from Apple. Also, check out iOS updates and their impact on developers.