Senate Passes Open App Markets Act (OAMA)

On February 3^rd 2022, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the Open App Markets Act (OAMA) by a strong bipartisan vote of 20-2.  OAMA would prevent Apple and Google from using their market power to require app developers to use a specific in-app payment system or from unfairly promoting their own apps above those of competing app developers. This will mean app developers will be able to stop paying huge fees to Big Tech and app users will be able to pay less for apps.  OAMA includes a private right of action, modeled after the treble damage remedy in the Clayton Act, for app developers to enforce the law.

The Committee to Support the Antitrust Laws, represented by CGL, worked with the bill’s sponsors on the private right of action provision.