Apple Requests US Court to Dismiss Antitrust Lawsuit... Files Suit Against EU Fine Penalty

Apple "Government Trying to Take Away Key iPhone Features"
EU Files Lawsuit Over 2.7 Trillion Won Fine Decision

Apple plans to request the dismissal of the antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against the company in a U.S. court. In the European Union (EU), Apple has filed an objection with the court regarding the €1.84 billion (approximately 2.73 trillion KRW) fine imposed by competition authorities.

On the 21st (local time), Apple stated in a letter sent to the New Jersey federal court before officially requesting dismissal of the related lawsuit, "The court should dismiss the DOJ's request to establish a new theory of antitrust liability that harms innovation and deprives consumers of competitive key features that make the iPhone unique."

In the letter, Apple argued that the issues previously raised by the government are unrelated to Apple's anticompetitive conduct, any substantial anticompetitive effects, or monopoly power in the relevant market.

In March, the U.S. DOJ, together with attorneys general from 16 states, filed a lawsuit against Apple in the New Jersey federal court for alleged violations of antitrust laws. The reason was that Apple only allows its own messaging application and payment services on the iPhone, thereby strengthening its control over software (SW) and blocking competitors from offering innovative features.

Regarding this, the U.S. government is expected to respond to Apple's letter by the 30th of this month. The court is expected to rule on Apple's motion to dismiss the trial by the end of this year or early next year. However, it is rare for courts to accept a company's motion to dismiss in antitrust lawsuits filed by the government.

Apple also filed a complaint on the 16th with the General Court of the EU in Luxembourg, objecting to the EU's antitrust fine decision. Previously, the European Commission imposed a €1.84 billion fine on Apple, stating that the company abused its dominance in the music streaming app market by blocking consumers from accessing cheaper services. This was the first time the EU imposed a fine on Apple based on antitrust laws, and Apple immediately announced its intention to take legal action.