By Daisuke Wakabayashi
A jury ruled in favor of Apple Inc. on Tuesday in a class-action
lawsuit that accused the technology giant of violating antitrust
laws by suppressing competition for its iPod music players.
After deliberating for only a few hours, an eight-person jury in
U.S. District Court in Oakland, Calif., found that Apple's iTunes
7.0 was a genuine product improvement, and therefore not a
violation of antitrust laws. The decision was unanimous.
The plaintiffs had said Apple made changes to its iTunes music
service so that iPods wouldn't operate with other companies'
products, driving up the cost of the devices. The plaintiffs,
representing an alleged eight million harmed consumers, were
seeking $350 million in damages, which could have been tripled
under antitrust laws.
Patrick Coughlin, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said they plan
to appeal the decision.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs had argued that Apple issued software
updates to cut off competitors' attempts to market products
compatible with Apple's iPod.
As in other class-action cases, Apple's adversaries cited emails
from former Chief Executive Steve Jobs, highlighting his
competitive nature and moves he made to protect and promote Apple.
The case included a video deposition from Mr. Jobs, who died in
October 2011.
Write to Daisuke Wakabayashi at Daisuke.Wakabayashi@wsj.com
Access Investor Kit for Apple, Inc.
Visit
http://www.companyspotlight.com/partner?cp_code=P479&isin=US0378331005
Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires