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Apple faces class action lawsuit for locked iPhones and third-party app fees

By  |  January 23, 2012

A federal class-action lawsuit alleges that Apple and AT&T had a secret five-year contract making AT&T the exclusive provider of phone and data services for iPhone consumers. This agreement was not disclosed to consumers, who were locked into the exclusive contract that was further enforced by software locks programmed into the iPhone.

The complaint goes on to accuse Apple of harming competition by charging a fee to developers of third-party applications, so that they may sell their apps on the iTunes App Store.

The lead plaintiff on the lawsuit is Eric Terrell, an Oakland, CA attorney.

For Courthouse News Service’s detailed summary of the complaint, click here.