The US vs. Microsoft case started in 1998 [1], but the investigation started all the way back in 1991. Given that the DOJ has just initiated an investigation into Apple over possible antitrust violations in online music sales [2], we can expect to maybe see a case in 2017 or so...
That said, there are many difference between the Windows platform and the iPhone. When the DOJ started investigating Microsoft in 1991 they did have a monopoly on PC operating systems, and (as the DOJ investigation found) was using this power to unfairly give Internet Explorer an edge.
The iPhone platform may command the lion's share of the attention in the smartphone market, it is nowhere near a monopoly [3, 4]. The same cannot be said about the iTunes Music Store [5]. It seems, however, that the investigation into Apple's practices are moving beyond music [6], so we'll see in 7 years time about "does nothing".
That said, there are many difference between the Windows platform and the iPhone. When the DOJ started investigating Microsoft in 1991 they did have a monopoly on PC operating systems, and (as the DOJ investigation found) was using this power to unfairly give Internet Explorer an edge.
The iPhone platform may command the lion's share of the attention in the smartphone market, it is nowhere near a monopoly [3, 4]. The same cannot be said about the iTunes Music Store [5]. It seems, however, that the investigation into Apple's practices are moving beyond music [6], so we'll see in 7 years time about "does nothing".
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Microsoft [2] http://topnews.us/content/221070-apple-under-doj-investigati... [3] http://mashable.com/2010/02/09/android-iphone-market-share/ [4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone [5] http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2008/04/03itunes.html [6] http://newsblog.thecmuwebsite.com/post/DOJs-Apple-investigat...
[Hope this wasn't too citation heavy, I tend to get a bit verbose when I am tired.]