Mehri & Skalet has filed a class action complaint on behalf of a purchaser of Apple's iPod portable music device, alleging that Apple has illegally "tied" its iPod portable music device and iTunes desktop software, in violation of federal and state antitrust and consumer laws. Indeed, Apple's CEO Steve Jobs has bragged that iTunes is "the Microsoft of music stores," in a meeting with financial analysts.
Apple has deliberately altered the music and video files that are purchased on iTunes so that they only can be played on an iPod. And music that is purchased from other music stores cannot be played on an iPod. Because Apple has a monopoly in the market for music players and for online music, consumers are forced to use its products, and cannot purchase them from competitors. M&S filed its complaint in December 2007, and the case is in its early stages.
Our case seeks damages on behalf of "indirect purchasers," that is, those who purchased an iPod from someone other than Apple. We are interested in hearing from indirect purchasers who are interested in participating in this case. You can contact us by filling out this form. |
