Apple defends the price of iPhone apps before a trial

Simplicity is supposed to be a commercial hook of the Apple iPhone. But that could be a problem for the US Supreme Court.

The court will hear arguments today about accusations that Apple has taken advantage of its dominant position in the marketplace to raise prices for iPhone apps. An unfavorable decision by Apple, which would allow demand to progress, could intensify the pressure that the company is already undergoing to reduce the 30% commission it charges for the sales of applications.

The cause revolves around what happens when iPhone users buy something in the Apple App Store. In allowing the lawsuit, the Federal Court of Appeal said the deal was simple because consumers buy directly from Apple. Apple says it's more complicated because the company acts as an intermediary, connecting application developers with users.

The distinction is crucial because of a 1977 Supreme Court ruling that states that only direct purchasers of a product Under the federal antitrust law, they can be compensated in case of overstatement prices. Part of this decision was to prevent companies from paying twice for the same transgression.

Apple is part of an application-based economy that will grow from $ 82 billion last year to $ 157 billion US in 2022, according to According to App Annie's forecast .

Apple and its technology industry allies believe that a decision allowing consumer judgment would expose other companies that manage online markets and platforms to costly antitrust lawsuits. According to Apple and its lawyers, a broader decision could affect Google's Alphabet Inc., Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc., Etsy Inc. and DoorDash Inc.

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