July 12, 2010

By By Antony Bruno

A judge has cleared the way for a class action lawsuit against AT&T and Apple regarding the exclusive deal between the two companies for the iPhone.

The suit, originally filed in 2007, alleges Apple created a monopoly by suggesting its exclusive iPhone deal with AT&T was only for two years. Recent documentation now points to a five-year agreement, set to end at the end of this year. The recent ruling now allows anyone who?s ever bought an iPhone to join in on the suit.

AT&T issued the following response in a statement:
"There was widespread disclosure of [AT&T's] five-year exclusivity and no suggestion by Apple or anyone else that iPhones would become unlocked after two years," the company said. "Moreover, it is sheer speculation ? and illogical ? that failing to disclose the five-year exclusivity term would produce monopoly power."

(PC Mag)

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