DOJ reportedly ramps up competition probe of Apple
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The U.S. Justice Department has been putting time in during the last few months looking into an antitrust complaint against Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), and is reportedly considering bringing in the DOJ's top antitrust official on the case.
At the heart of the dispute are allegations that Apple (AAPL) has acted like a monopoly with regards to how third-party software is used on its mobile devices. Additionally, Justice Department officials are said to be assessing if Apple (AAPL) has engaged in anticompetitive business practices by giving favor to, and promoting its own products via its iOS mobile device operating system.
According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the DOJ may bring Jonathan Kanter, its leading antitrust official, into the investigation. However, there is some controversy with Kanter, as he has a history of representing companies that have accused Apple (AAPL) of anticompetitive business behavior.
Apple (AAPL) has always maintained that it doesn't operate in an anticompetitive manner, or take steps to deliberately damage third-party developers. The Journal said Apple (AAPL) didn't respond to requests for comment on the latest DOJ matters.
With the iPhone remaining Apple's (AAPL) largest source of revenue, the company remains looking for new ways to make new models of the mobile phone attractive to its current, and potentially new customers. On Tuesday, it was disclosed that Apple (AAPL) had received a patent for a foldable mobile device that could be made available this year.