iPhone exclusivity could be illegal under Australian law
While we have no news of any imminent release of the iPhone in Australia, a group of Queensland law researchers has suggested that, when it does arrive, it could fall foul of current trade practices laws.
To the layman, it sounds similar to the challenges Apple faced in France and Germany, where legal challenges to Apple's exclusive deals were launched, and in France, where a network-unlocked iPhone has to be available on request.
"The iPhone is breaking new ground in using technology to restrict customer's choice in technology markets," said Queensland University of Technology (QUT) law researcher Dale Clapperton.
"If Apple enter into an exclusive agreement with any particular carrier then it would be a matter for the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) as to whether that agreement was anticompetitive and contravened the trade practices act."
More tricky times ahead for Apple, it seems, and possible delays for Australian consumers who want legitimate access to the wonder phone.
(Via News.com.au)
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