Apple used monopolistic methods, two suits claim

Complaints over Apple Inc.’s use restrictions and recent software update for the iPhone have erupted into two lawsuits alleging that Apple and its carrier partner, AT&T; Inc., engaged in illegal monopolistic behavior.

The lawsuits were filed Friday in San Jose -- one in federal court and the other in state court. Both are seeking class- action status.

The federal case accuses the companies of unfair business practices and violations of antitrust, telecommunications and warranty laws. The state case raises some of the same allegations.

Apple spokeswoman Susan Lundgren and AT&T; spokesman Mark Siegel declined to comment on the lawsuits Wednesday.

AT&T; is the exclusive carrier in the U.S. for the iPhone.

By not allowing customers to modify their iPhones to work on other carrier networks, the two companies conspired from the beginning of their partnership to maintain a monopoly, the federal lawsuit alleges.

The companies are unlawfully restricting consumer choice by preventing users from “unlocking” their iPhones, and Apple intentionally disabled unofficial third-party programs or rendered unlocked phones useless with its software update, the lawsuit alleges.