APPLE IS A BUNCH OF CROOKS ACT
1. As used in this act:
A. App means a software application or electronic service that may be run or directed by a user on a computer or mobile device.
B. App store means a publicly available website, software application, or other electronic service that distributes apps from third-party developers to users.
C. Covered company means the owner or controller of an app store with more than 8 million Southern users.
D. Device means a tablet or a smart phone sold in the South and manufactured on or after the date this bill takes effect.
E. Smart phone means an electronic device that combines a cell phone with a hand-held computer, typically offering Internet access, data storage, and text and email capabilities.
F. Tablet means a mobile device that is equipped with a mobile operating system, touchscreen display, and rechargeable battery; and has the ability to support access to a cellular network.
2. It shall be unlawful for any covered company to:
A. require developers to use an in-app payment system owned or controlled by the company as a condition of distribution or accessibility,
B. require that pricing or conditions of sale be equal to or more favorable on its app store than another app store, or
C. take punitive action against a developer for using or offering different pricing terms or conditions of sale through another in-app payment system or on another app store.
D. interfere with legitimate business communications between developers and users, use non-public business information from a third-party app to compete with the app, or unreasonably prefer or rank its own apps, or those of its business partners, over other apps.
3. It shall be unlawful for any commercial enterprise that operates in interstate commerce by manufacturing, programing, selling, or providing communication services to any device to design or program such device in a manner that substantially limits or restricts the interoperability of the device with app stores that are not owned by such enterprise.
4. A violation of this act shall constitute an anti-trust violation.
5. The Attorney General may enforce violations of these rules as unfair or deceptive acts.
6. State Attorneys General may bring a civil action on behalf of their residents if they have reason to believe that their residents will be adversely affected by a violation of this act.
7. Any person wronged by a violation of this act may bring a civil lawsuit for an injunction or damages and may recover from such person damages for such injury plus $1,000 for each violation for up to five (5) years from any violation.
8. This act shall take effect forty (40) days from the date of passage.