Vodafone Questions Legality of Exclusive iPhone Deal in Germany
Chris Meinck over everythingiCafe is reporting Vodafone is questioning whether the Apple iPhone deal is legal.
Vodafone has received a court injunction in Germany against Deutche Telekom's T-Mobile in Germany questioning the legality of their sales practices as releated to the iPhone.
Vodafone's objection is not directly related to T-Mobile's exclusivity to sell the iPhone, but rather the requirement that German consumers must purchase a 24-month contract with T-Mobile with their iPhone purchase. Sales of the iPhone in Germany continue while the courts will examine the complaint. Vodafone claimed the injunction was specific to Germany and they would not seek an injunction in other markets. "It is not right that our clients can only get an iPhone by signing a long-term contract with Telekom," said Friedrich Joussen who heads up Vodafone in Germany. "We want a rapid judicial clarification to know if the iPhone should be available to all or only to some."