Connecticut, along with the U.S. Department of Justice and 15 other states, has filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Apple Inc. for monopolizing smartphone markets in violation of the Sherman Act. The complaint alleges Apple engages in anticompetitive conduct such as blocking innovative apps, suppressing cloud streaming services, and limiting interoperability to maintain its monopoly and impose high costs on consumers and developers. The plaintiffs seek equitable relief to restore competition.
The lawsuit seeks equitable relief, including injunctions, to end Apple's anticompetitive conduct and restore competition in smartphone markets, but no specific remedies have been imposed at this time.
In-house legal teams should review all vendor and developer agreements, particularly those governing app distribution, platform access, and interoperability. Focus on clauses that impose restrictions on cross-platform functionality, mandate exclusive use of Apple's services or payment systems, define relevant markets in a way that reinforces monopoly power, or contain MFN provisions that prevent more favorable terms with competitors. Changes may be needed to remove or modify anticompetitive restrictions, ensure fair access to essential interfaces and tools, and allow developers and consumers greater freedom to choose alternative products and services without penalty.
Entity
Apple Inc.
Also known as: Apple
Industry
TechnologyOfficial Press Release
https://portal.ct.gov/ag/press-releases/2024-press-releases/connecticut-joins-justice-department-suing-apple-for-monopolizing-smartphone-markets
apple file stamped complaint 32124.pdf?rev=e1b87aa808be4d67a
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/ag/press_releases/2024/apple-file-stamped-complaint-32124.pdf?rev=e1b87aa808be4d67a5d3af801268c95a&hash=3EE6438399E31E69C7CB721D13456421
Connecticut Attorney General Enforcement Page
https://portal.ct.gov/AG/Privacy/Privacy-Resources
$150K
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced a settlement with Apple Inc. over allegations of widespread merchandise pricing violations at 11 Apple stores statewide, including failure to display required pricing information and refund policies. Apple agreed to pay a $150,000 civil penalty, the largest-ever under New Jersey's Merchandise Pricing Act, and implement revised business practices to ensure clear pricing and refund policy disclosures. The settlement resolves violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act and the 2017 consent order previously entered into by Apple.
$29.6M
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport joined a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, for allegedly conspiring to artificially inflate and manipulate prices, reduce competition, and restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation in ongoing litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition.
$29.6M
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 48 states and territories in a $29.6 million settlement with Glenmark, a generic drug manufacturer, to resolve allegations of a widespread conspiracy to artificially inflate prices, reduce competition, and unreasonably restrain trade for numerous generic prescription drugs. The settlement includes cooperation from Glenmark in ongoing multistate litigations and internal reforms to ensure fair competition and compliance with antitrust laws.
$18.0M
Attorney General William Tong led a coalition of 42 attorneys general in a settlement with the bankruptcy trustee for 23andMe, resolving allegations from a 2023 data breach that compromised the genetic data of 6.9 million customers. The settlement includes $150 million in allowed claims, with $18 million paid from bankruptcy funds, and requires enhanced data security measures for the new entity holding the data.
Attorney General William Tong joined a coalition of 12 attorneys general in suing to block the $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. by Paramount Skydance Corporation. The lawsuit alleges the merger violates Section 7 of the Clayton Act by substantially lessening competition in theatrical film distribution and basic cable television licensing, which would harm consumers through higher prices and reduced quality.
Attorney General William Tong and 48 other attorneys general submitted comments to the FCC urging stronger rules to prevent scammers from accessing legitimate telephone numbers for illegal robocalls. The coalition is responding to the FCC's proposed rules and asks for measures such as stronger certification, reporting, and prohibitions on number cycling.