∞ Report: Apple could be under antitrust investigation

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Apple’s decision to require developers to use its tools to program apps for the iPhone, iPad and iPod touch could have it in hot water with federal regulators.

Citing people familiar with the matter, the NY Post says the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission are negotiating to determine which agency will conduct the investigation on Apple. The decision is expected in the next few days.

Apple changed its iPhone Developer Licensing agreement during the launch of iPhone OS 4 in April. The decision caused the a big headache for Adobe, who released a way for Flash developers to make iPhone apps in CS5.

However, in an open letter about Flash, Jobs said Apple couldn’t have developers relying on a third-party to update its code before being able to take advantage of advances that Apple makes.

“We know from painful experience that letting a third party layer of software come between the platform and the developer ultimately results in sub-standard apps and hinders the enhancement and progress of the platform,” said Jobs.

Shortly after the announcement, Adobe announced that it would abandon the technology.


  • http://thegraphicmac.com Jim

    Coca-Cola doesn't allow independent bottlers to put just any old liquid in a Coke can, you MUST use their formula, in their can, using their artwork, and advertise it with their campaigns, and pay them a license fee to do it… I fail to see how this is any different, or how this could somehow be considered anti-trust.

  • Anarchy

    Doesn't the US Gov't have better things to do, like ANYTHING other than this?

  • Www.Dextrus.com

    Ipad isn't a disposable commodity. It's more like a thermos and who wants a thermos that only holds one brand of coffee.

  • Rombo

    The is just another example of the government interfering with the free market. A mobile phone is a device that is turned over every 2 years or so. If people don't like Apple's policies or their choices for Apps on the phone they can buy one from another manufacturer. Apple does not have a monopoly on the smartphone market.

    If developers make apps for other platforms and not for the iPhone because of Apple's policies then people will just not buy an Apple phone. That is how the free market works and apple will suffer as a result of their decision.

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    • Peter Cohen

      "The is just another example of the government interfering with the free market."

      Overreact much>

      - First of all, this is the New York Post reporting it, so take it with a big grain of salt.

      - Secondly, the news is that two government agencies are negotiating to determine who will investigate Apple. An investigation isn't even underway.

      - Thirdly, even if an investigation is done, it's too soon to say what that investigation will lead to. The government agency may very well decide that there's no antitrust activity going on and may take no action whatsoever.

      • Rombo

        And in the interim of their negotiation what is the cost to the tax payer? The budget this year is almost twice that of 2000, which means the government is twice the size. The government doesn't have any of its own resources, it only has what it takes from the private sector.

        Remember it was the government who was responsible for the meltdown of 2008 and whose actions in response to it are setting us up for a bigger crisis a short way down the road. There is really no difference between the conditions that exist in Greece now and those of the U.S.

        You either want free market capitalism or central government planning but you can't have both.

        The Apple Anti-Trust story has been reported in multiple places so i now consider it to be factual.

        God Save The US Economy From The US Government.

  • Peter Cohen

    "And in the interim of their negotiation what is the cost to the tax payer?"

    No different than what it would have been otherwise. The budgets these departments work with were already paid for as part of the federal government's 2010 budget, which was passed last year.

    "The budget this year is almost twice that of 2000, which means the government is twice the size."

    No it doesn't. It means that the federal government is twice as expensive to operate and fund as it was in 2000 – not that it's twice the size.

    "You either want free market capitalism or central government planning but you can't have both."

    You're either with us or you're against us!

    "The Apple Anti-Trust story has been reported in multiple places so i now consider it to be factual. "

    I see your grasp on fact checking is about as good as your understanding of how government budgets work.