No. 17-204October Term 2018Decided May 13, 2019
Apple, Inc. v. Pepper
This case asked whether iPhone owners who bought apps through Apple’s App Store could sue Apple for allegedly monopolizing the market for iPhone apps and charging higher prices.
Case status
- Current stage
- Decided
- Latest event
- Decision released May 13, 2019
- What it's about
This case asked whether iPhone owners who bought apps through Apple’s App Store could sue Apple for allegedly monopolizing the market for iPhone apps and charging higher prices. The Court held that because consumers bought the apps directly from Apple, they were direct purchasers and could bring an antitrust damages claim.
Question presented
Whether consumers may sue for antitrust damages anyone who delivers goods to them, even where they seek damages based on prices set by third parties who would be the immediate victims of the alleged offense.
- Case path
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit / Decision released May 13, 2019
- Area
Business and Regulation
Timing
Decided May 13, 2019
The Court released its decision on May 13, 2019 without hearing oral argument.
Related cases
Grounding
- Grounding
- Primary-source trail available.
- Note
- Plain-English explainer. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.
- Checked
- Jun 1, 2026
- Method
- Methodology