A judge rules that "Google is a monopolist." Learn more about this antitrust case and its implications for Apple. (via Cult of Mac - Apple news, rumors, reviews and how-tos)

Apple this week asked a U.S. judge to dismiss a lawsuit by federal and state antitrust regulators accusing it of illegally monopolizing the smartphone market. Apple said the lawsuit, if successful, would see a judge redesigning the iPhone. Jody Godoy for Reuters: ‎ The Justice Department, 19 states and Washington, D.C., accuse Apple of an illegal monopoly on smartphones maintained by imposing contractual restrictions on, and withholding critical access from, developers. In a motion filed in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, Apple argued that putting reasonable limitations on third-party developers’ access to its technology did not amount to anti-competitive behavior, and forcing it to share technology with competitors would chill innovation. “Endorsing such a theory would require courts to…

Apple argued that putting reasonable limitations on third-party developers' access to its technology did not amount to anti-competitive behavior.

The Spanish Competition Authority, CNMC, has launched an inquiry into potential anti-competitive practices by Apple. The regulator alleges that the tech giant may have imposed unfair conditions on app developers using its App Store. Apple has denied these claims, asserting that all developers compete fairly on its platform. Reuters: ‎ The practices could be considered a very serious violation of competition law and could carry a fine worth as much as 10% of the company’s global revenues, the regulator said in a statement. Apple denied imposing unequal commercial conditions on mobile application developers. “Spanish developers of all sizes compete on a level playing field on the App Store,” it said in a statement. “Apple will continue to work with the…

Apple scored a legal win on Thursday. A California court dismissed a lawsuit claiming Apple restricted app development tools, forcing higher iPhone prices. This defeat for consumers leaves them without a class-action case on this issue. Mike Scarcella for Reuters: ‎ U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg in San Francisco said the plaintiffs did not have legal standing to pursue their antitrust claims for now that Apple made unlawful agreements with Google and other browser makers to block competing developer technology. Three residents of California and Illinois sued Cupertino, California-based Apple in January, challenging what they called its “closed ecosystem of apps and services” and seeking an order that could have blocked the company from requiring developers to use its app…

An investigation by India’s antitrust body has found that Apple exploited its dominant position in the market for app stores on its iOS operating system, engaging “in abusive conduct and practices,” Reuters reports citing “a confidential report” to which it was given access. Aditya Kalra for Reuters: ‎ The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has been investigating Apple Inc. since 2021 for possibly abusing its dominant position in the apps market by forcing developers to use its proprietary in-app purchase system. Apple has denied wrongdoing saying it was a small player in India where phones that use Google’s Android system are dominant. The CCI’s investigations unit, in its 142-page report which is not public but was seen by Reuters, said…