In its Statement of Objections, the commission states the company “distorted competition in the music streaming market as it abused its dominant position for the distribution of music streaming apps.” The charge concerns mandatory use of an in-app purchase mechanism that Apple imposes on other music-streaming developers in order to distribute their apps via the App Store.
The charges, if proven, would find Apple’s rules and business practices in violation of Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which prohibits the abuse of dominant market positions.
These charges are the outcome of a thorough investigation that commenced in June, following a complaint from the Swedish music-streaming giant Spotify.
On May 1, 1707, the two Acts of Union went into effect, implementing the Treaty of Union and thereby uniting the Kingdom of England and Kingdom of Scotland to create the United Kingdom of Great Britain.
On May 1, 1794, the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers was organized in Philadelphia to negotiate wages for its members, becoming the first trade union in the United States.