Apple strong-armed component manufacturers in Japan

Apple is known for its strong-arm tactics. Japan’s Fair Trade Commission has now launched an official investigation on Apple for violating anti-monopoly rules. Here are the reasons Japan FTC is investigating Apple’s evil business practices in Japan.

• Apple forced component manufacturers to sign contract to provide free technology and know-how to its affiliates for parts manufacturing.
• Apple forced component suppliers to lower components prices and prohibited them from selling components and technology to other companies.
• Apple forced component manufacturers to shoulder the costs of any unforeseen issues.
• When one component manufacturer opposed Apple’s requirements and claimed it as a infringement of IP rights, Apple threatened to end the business relationship.

It is important to note that Apple is already under investigation in Japan for violating antitrust rules on the way it sold its iPhones in Japan.

Source: Reuters