Apple Accuses DOJ of Wanting Amazon to Have 'Significant Competitive Advantage'

iBooks.pngApple today responded (via GigaOM) to the Department of Justice's revised proposal accusing Apple of implementing in-app purchase rules to spite Amazon, stating that the DOJ is simply "seeking a remedy that would give Amazon a significant competitive advantage over Apple."

Plantiffs are seeking a remedy that would give Amazon a significant competitive advantage over Apple – an advantage it is neither entitled to nor deserves. This is plainly improper and highly counterproductive.

Now–after the trial is over and this court has ruled–is not the time to adjudicate a whole new array of legal and factual issues based on evidence that is outside the record and which largely post-dates the events at issue.

First filed last Friday, the DOJ's revised punishment for Apple's guilty collusion verdict suggested Apple had initiated its in-app purchasing rules in order to "retaliate against Amazon for competitive conduct that Apple disapproved of" and to "make it more difficult for consumers using Apple devices to compare ebook prices among different retailers."

In the proposal, the DOJ aimed to provide support for its argument that Apple should be forced to allow e-book retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble to place links to their respective bookstores within their App Store apps. Apple is opposed to the idea, as it would give Amazon a way to sell books within its App Store apps while avoiding paying Apple a 30% cut of the proceeds.

The DOJ also argued that Apple should be subjected to third party monitoring to prevent future collusion and should have staggered renegotiations with book publishers. Apple conceded to this last point, but continues to fight both the monitor and the suggestion that Amazon and other e-book retailers should be allowed links in their App Store apps.

Apple and the DOJ will meet with Judge Cote to further discuss the proposal on Tuesday. In addition to the DOJ's proposed punishment, Apple could also be forced to pay up to $500 million in damages.

Popular Stories

iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

New iPhone 17 Pro Details: Brighter Display, Best Battery Life, and More

Wednesday September 3, 2025 5:33 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max models will feature a number of significant display, thermal, and battery improvements, according to new late-stage rumors. According to the Weibo leaker known as "Instant Digital," the iPhone 17 Pro models will feature displays with higher brightness, making it more suitable for use in direct sunlight for prolonged periods. The iPhone 16 Pro and...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 Pro Clear Case Leak Reveals Three Key Changes

Sunday August 31, 2025 1:26 pm PDT by
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series on Tuesday, September 9, and last-minute rumors about the devices continue to surface. The latest info comes from a leaker known as Majin Bu, who has shared alleged images of Apple's Clear Case for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, or at least replicas. Image Credit: @MajinBuOfficial The images show three alleged changes compared to Apple's iP...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

iPhone 17 Pro: 5 Reasons Not to Upgrade This Year

Monday September 1, 2025 4:35 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series this month, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming to...
iPhone 17 Pro Iridescent Feature 2

iPhone 17 and iPhone 17 Pro Prices Estimated Ahead of Apple Event Next Week

Tuesday September 2, 2025 1:50 pm PDT by
Just one week before Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17 series, an analyst has shared new price estimates for the devices. Here are J.P. Morgan analyst Samik Chatterjee's price estimates for the iPhone 17 series in the United States, according to 9to5Mac: Model Starting Price Model Starting Price Change iPhone 16 $799 iPhone 17 ...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Release Date, Pre-Orders, and What to Expect

Thursday August 28, 2025 4:08 am PDT by
An iPhone 17 announcement is a dead cert for September 2025 – Apple has already sent out invites for an "Awe dropping" event on Tuesday, September 9 at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California. The timing follows Apple's trend of introducing new iPhone models annually in the fall. At the event, Apple is expected to unveil its new-generation iPhone 17, an all-new ultra-thin iPhone 17...
iOS 18 on iPhone Arrow Down

Apple Preparing iOS 18.7 for iPhones as iOS 26 Release Date Nears

Sunday August 31, 2025 4:35 pm PDT by
Apple is preparing to release iOS 18.7 for compatible iPhone models, according to evidence of the update in the MacRumors visitor logs. We expect iOS 18.7 to be released in September, alongside iOS 26. The update will likely include fixes for security vulnerabilities, but little else. iOS 18.7 will be one of the final updates ever released for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR,...
iPhone 17 Pro on Desk Centered 1

Survey: Nearly 70% of Users Plan to Upgrade to iPhone 17

Monday September 1, 2025 8:24 am PDT by
A new survey has found that nearly seven in ten iPhone owners in the United States plan to upgrade to an iPhone 17 model, signaling strong demand ahead of Apple's expected unveiling of the devices at its September 9 keynote. Smartphone price comparison platform SellCell surveyed over 2,000 U.S.-based iPhone users in August to assess upgrade interest and brand loyalty before Apple's event....

Top Rated Comments

drew0020 Avatar
157 months ago
the anti-apple campaign began last september and continues on to this day. his anti-business message is old. just like him.

Are you all kidding me? Apple is so wrong on this one. Even the biggest Apple fan boy should be able to see this!
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ArtOfWarfare Avatar
157 months ago
Forcing Apple to allow Amazon to link directly to their own store is like forcing Walmart to tell people how to buy directly from the manufactures of their products.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
komodrone Avatar
157 months ago
Man Amazon, what a douche...
*buys cat food on Amazon with free two-day shipping*
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
drorpheus Avatar
157 months ago
Considering Apple has more money in the bank than the US does at certain times, jut buy a state a leave the union.

The US Govt spends Apples net worth in a month. They could probably buy some dirt poor state in the south though, just about everything else is for sale down there.


Seriously though, why is anyone surprised that businesses are suffering under the heal of the government.

Yeah, poor businesses, only seeing record profits double and quadruple year after year, it's like someone is strangling them to death and they can't stand their ground, poor souls. If we could only give them billions in tax breaks and write offs so they could get a gasp of air.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Renzatic Avatar
157 months ago
It's amazing how many of these types of stories devolve into political debate. I sometimes cringe while clicking on the comments link.

What's even worse is how many people don't know what they're talking about, yet still get all righteous and shrill about it nonetheless.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Madmic23 Avatar
157 months ago
Forcing Apple to allow Amazon to link directly to their own store is like forcing Walmart to tell people how to buy directly from the manufactures of their products.

Umm.... Wal Mart sells iPads, but I don't have to buy my apps from Wal Mart. So, Wal Mart does sell a product that links to a store outside of Wal Mart.

I can buy a magazine at Wal Mart that comes with a subscription card that goes direct to the publisher, Wal Mart doesn't get a dime.

I can buy an XBox and then buy XBox games online, Wal Mart doesn't make any money there.

These examples are more accurate for allowing Amazon to link directly to its own store.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)