4 more US states join lawsuit against Apple for monopolizing smartphone markets

By Ovunc Kutlu

ISTANBUL (AA) - Four more US states have joined the lawsuit against tech giant Apple for allegedly monopolizing smartphone markets, the US Justice Department announced Tuesday.

"We welcome the States of Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada and Washington, who join our existing coalition to restore competition in the smartphone markets that Apple has monopolized," Assistant Attorney General Jonathan Kanter of the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division said in a statement.

"We look forward to litigating this important case alongside our state partners to deliver the benefits of competition to consumers, app developers, accessory makers and the American public," he added.

This March 15 American states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Apple for monopolizing multiple smartphone markets in violation of the Sherman Act, which makes it unlawful for any person to "monopolize, or attempt to monopolize, or combine or conspire with any other person or persons, to monopolize any part of the trade or commerce among the several States, or with foreign nations," according to the Justice Department.

"The department and its now expanded group of 20 co-plaintiffs filed an amended complaint in the District of New Jersey," said the statement.