Apple Antitrust Lawsuit Moves Ahead After Judge’s Ruling
Apple is heading to court. A U.S. federal judge has allowed an antitrust lawsuit against the tech giant to proceed, rejecting Apple’s attempt to have the case dismissed. The lawsuit, originally filed by the Justice Department 15 months ago, accuses Apple of building illegal barriers around the iPhone to protect its dominance and inflate profits.
This ruling, handed down by U.S. District Judge Xavier Neals in New Jersey, marks a major turning point in one of the most high-profile legal challenges the company has faced in years. The trial could begin as early as 2027.
What the Justice Department Alleges
At the heart of the case is the Justice Department’s claim that Apple has created a tightly controlled digital ecosystem—often referred to as a “walled garden”—around its products. The integration between the iPhone, iPad, and Apple’s operating systems is seamless, but prosecutors argue it also serves as a shield against competition.
According to the government, Apple has used this system not just to enhance user experience, but also to stifle innovation, restrict rival apps and services, and ultimately charge higher prices.
Judge Neals wrote in his 33-page opinion that the lawsuit presents “several allegations of technological barricades that constitute anticompetitive conduct.” He also said the case raised the “dangerous possibility” that Apple has turned the iPhone into a monopoly.
Apple’s Defense Falls Short—for Now
Apple pushed back hard, arguing that the Justice Department had misinterpreted the smartphone market and made flawed legal claims. The company requested the court dismiss the suit outright.
But Judge Neals disagreed. He found that the government’s definitions of the smartphone market were sound enough to justify a full trial and said the core claims deserved deeper legal examination.
In a statement following the decision, Apple reiterated its stance, saying:
“The Justice Department’s case is wrong on the facts and the law, and we will continue to vigorously fight it in court.”
More Legal Trouble for Apple
This lawsuit is just one of several legal challenges Apple is currently facing.
In April, another judge issued a civil contempt order barring Apple from collecting fees on in-app transactions processed outside its payment system. That system had previously charged developers between 15% and 30% in commission fees.
Additionally, Apple could be at risk of losing more than $20 billion a year in payments from Google. Those payments come in exchange for making Google the default search engine on Apple devices—a deal currently under scrutiny in a separate antitrust case targeting Google’s search dominance.
A New Class-Action Lawsuit Joins the Fight
Coincidentally, the same day Judge Neals ruled, app developer Proton filed a separate lawsuit against Apple. This new case seeks class-action status on behalf of thousands of app developers. It accuses Apple of similar anticompetitive behavior and asks the court to impose punitive damages and dismantle the “walled garden” structure.
Together, these legal battles represent a significant challenge to Apple’s business model, which has helped it achieve $94 billion in profit on $295 billion in sales in its last fiscal year.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more updates on Apple’s courtroom battles and the future of tech regulation.