A Moscow court found that antitrust proceedings against Apple are lawful – RIA

(Reuters) – A Moscow court ruled on Thursday that Russia’s antitrust authority could lawfully open antitrust proceedings against Apple over a dispute over App Store payments, dismissing a case brought by the U.S. company, RIA news agency reported.

Russia launched antitrust proceedings against Apple in October, accusing it of not allowing app developers to inform customers about alternative payment options when using the App Store. It said Apple could be fined based on its revenues in Russia if found guilty.

Apple and Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS) did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

RIA reported that the Moscow Court of Arbitration dismissed the Apple case in its entirety. He says the decision can be appealed.

Separately, the law firm Chernyshov, Lukoyanov & Partners said on Wednesday that it is preparing a lawsuit against Apple over what it believes is a violation of the rights of Russian consumers after the company restricted the use of Apple Pay on March 1 in response to Russia sending tens of thousands of dollars. soldiers to Ukraine on February 24.

The same law firm is behind a similar lawsuit against streaming company Netflix, which suspended its services in Russia in March and said it was temporarily halting all future projects and acquisitions in the country.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Grant McCool)