A California federal judge has dealt a significant blow to Musi Inc., rejecting the music streaming service’s attempt to return to Apple’s App Store after it was removed for alleged intellectual property (IP) violations. The decision highlights Apple’s broad authority to manage its digital marketplace.
The Legal Battle Over App Store Access
In a ruling issued Thursday, U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee dismissed Musi’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have forced Apple to reinstate the app. Musi had filed suit in October, claiming that Apple had wrongfully removed its app due to an unsubstantiated copyright complaint from YouTube.
However, Judge Lee found that Musi had not demonstrated that Apple violated its terms of the Apple Developer Program License Agreement (DPLA). The agreement grants Apple substantial discretion over which apps remain on its platform, and the judge emphasized that the tech giant properly notified Musi about the removal.
Apple’s Broad Discretion in App Removal
“Apple gave Musi notice of termination,” Judge Lee’s order stated, citing multiple warnings issued to the app. The judge concluded that Musi had failed to show a serious question that Apple breached the DPLA.
