Companies should be free to compete on various variables, which include price for their services. But there is no competition for the Apple AppStore on Apple devices, it's a captive market. At that point, it's not competition but exploitation; and exploitation surely is a Bad Thing.
We used to be taught that one of the Bad Elements of feudal life was that the local lord could impose arbitrary taxes to use a road or a bridge, with no recourse for people and tradesmen. Now we are at the same point in the digital world.
> But there is no competition for the Apple AppStore on Apple devices, it's a captive market
Apples argument, which has legally worked so far, is the competition is at the ecosystem level. The iPhone and App Store are all parts of the whole. If someone doesn't like they can go to a competing ecosystem. Think game console, not computer.
I know very well, and I think that's the sticky point that needs untangling to take antitrust legislation into the XXI digital century. Ecosystem competition is not enough.
Imagine buying a house, and having to ask to the original builder for permission to buy wardrobes, or a fridge, a table and chairs. The builder can tell you what he does or does not allow, and takes a cut of every purchase you make. It's a ludicrous proposition, but that's very much how our digital life currently is.
We used to be taught that one of the Bad Elements of feudal life was that the local lord could impose arbitrary taxes to use a road or a bridge, with no recourse for people and tradesmen. Now we are at the same point in the digital world.