Judge Throws Out Major App Store Lawsuit in Major Setback for Plaintiffs

A federal judge has decertified a massive class-action lawsuit against Apple. The case accused the company of illegally monopolizing the iPhone app market. This decision is a significant win for Apple. It deals a major blow to the plaintiffs who have pursued the case for over a decade.

The ruling was issued by Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in a California court. According to Reuters, the judge found the plaintiffs’ evidence insufficient. The case can no longer proceed as a class action representing all affected iPhone users.

Legal Battle Ends After 14 Years of Court Challenges

The lawsuit was originally filed back in 2011. It claimed Apple violated antitrust laws by locking users into its App Store. Plaintiffs argued this monopoly allowed Apple to charge inflated prices for apps.

The case had a long and complicated journey through the courts. It went all the way to the Supreme Court before being sent back to a lower court. Judge Rogers had granted the case class-action status in 2023 but warned the plaintiffs their evidence was weak.

Failed Evidence and Expert Testimony Sinks the Case

The lawsuit’s collapse came down to flawed data. The plaintiffs hired an expert to calculate damages and identify harmed customers. Judge Rogers ruled this expert was “not qualified” and his methods were “not reliable.”

His analysis contained serious errors. The data could not reliably match Apple’s records to specific consumers. This failure meant the plaintiffs could not prove widespread harm. Apple then successfully moved to have the case decertified.

This ruling effectively ends the long-running App Store lawsuit as a collective action. Individual users must now file separate lawsuits if they wish to challenge Apple’s practices.

Thought you’d like to know

What does decertification of a class action mean?

Decertification means the case can no longer represent a large group of people. Each person must now sue Apple individually if they believe they were harmed. This makes it much harder to challenge the company.

Can the plaintiffs appeal this decision?

Yes, the plaintiffs have already stated they plan to appeal. The legal fight is not completely over. An appeals court will now review Judge Rogers’ decision.

How did Apple respond to the ruling?

Apple said it was pleased with the court’s decision. The company stated the plaintiffs failed to demonstrate any harm to consumers. Apple reaffirmed its commitment to the App Store’s safety.

What was the main reason the case was thrown out?

The plaintiffs’ expert witness failed to provide reliable data. His methodology for calculating damages was deemed unsound by the court. This undermined the entire basis for the class action.

Does this affect other lawsuits against Apple’s App Store?

This ruling is specific to this particular case. Other legal challenges, like the one from Epic Games, are separate. However, it sets a challenging precedent for future class actions.