In a decisive blow to Apple’s legal maneuvering, a U.S. appeals court has dismissed the tech giant’s attempt to halt a class action lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices in the iPhone app market. The ruling, handed down by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, marks a significant setback for Apple’s efforts to fend off accusations of artificially inflating app prices to the detriment of millions of consumers.
The saga dates back to a lawsuit filed in 2011, which accuses Apple of violating antitrust laws by exerting tight control over app downloads, effectively stifling competition and driving up costs. Despite Apple’s vigorous attempts to derail the case, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers certified a class of consumers, comprising those who have spent $10 or more on Apple apps or in-app purchases since 2008.
Apple’s bid for a pretrial appeal was summarily rejected by the appeals court, which declined to entertain arguments regarding the inclusion of over 10 million App Store accounts in the lawsuit. Mark Rifkin, representing the class, hailed the decision as another blow to Apple’s protracted legal battle, noting the company’s repeated failures to thwart the litigation over its 17-year duration.
While Apple sought to draw parallels with a Google class-action case, where the 9th Circuit had signaled a review, the comparison proved futile as the appeals court never delivered a ruling in the Google matter. Despite Apple’s objections, the prospects of a trial loom closer, with both sides tentatively eyeing a window in 2026.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Justice Department has launched a separate legal salvo against Apple, accusing the tech behemoth of monopolizing the smartphone market. Apple, however, remains defiant, vehemently denying the allegations and vowing to seek dismissal of the lawsuit.
As the legal battle unfolds, the fate of Apple’s App Store practices hangs in the balance, with ramifications that could reshape the digital marketplace for years to come.
