Apple, Visa, and Mastercard have avoided legal trouble in a recent antitrust lawsuit. The case, filed in December 2023 by Mirage Wine & Spirits, accused the companies of working together to raise credit and debit card fees for merchants.
However, on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge David Durgan dismissed the lawsuit. He said the plaintiffs did not provide enough evidence to support their claims.
Claims of Secret Deals and Fee Inflation
The complaint alleged that Apple made deals with Visa and Mastercard. In those deals, the card companies would pay Apple part of the transaction fees from Apple Pay.
Plaintiffs argued that this setup reduced competition. They said it removed any pressure to lower fees or improve services. The lawsuit also claimed that Apple blocked other companies from accessing its NFC hardware. This made it harder for new players to enter the mobile payments space.
What Could Have Happened Without the Deal?
According to the plaintiffs, Apple might have launched its own payment system if there was no agreement. This system could have offered lower fees and more control for Apple.
Instead, they said Apple accepted a “large and ongoing cash bribe” from Visa and Mastercard. The complaint suggested that this arrangement discouraged innovation and hurt merchants.
Case Not Fully Closed
Although the lawsuit was dismissed, the judge allowed the plaintiffs to revise and refile their complaint. So far, none of the companies involved have made a public comment on the ruling.
The case highlights growing concerns about how tech and finance giants handle fees and market access. If the case returns, it may spark deeper investigations into mobile wallet practices.
