US: After a decade, Apple iTunes monopoly trial begins

A federal trial that will hear allegations against Apple will begin this month after a decade of delays.

US District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled earlier this year that the case can move forward after several lower courts dismissed the claims. With jury selection beginning November 19, the trial will see Apple defend against allegations that it violated antitrust law by tying its iPod products to music downloads from its iTunes store.

The lawsuit, first filed in 2005, claims Apple created a monopoly by barring iPod owners from being able to upload music from rival online music stores. Reports say Apple continually altered its iTunes software to fend off rivals’ attempts to allow their music to work on the iPod.

While the policy was abandoned by Apple years ago, reports say the company could face up to $1 billion in damages.

University of Iowa law professor Herbert Hovenkamp said it would be “hard to prove damages, but it’s possible.”

The case has also attracted a lot of attention as it is expected to explore the inner workings of Apple; the late Apple founder Steve Jobs reportedly video recorded his deposition shortly before his death in 2011.

Full content: CIO Today

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