A law firm is now looking into filing a class action suit against retailers that have blocked Apple Pay. If filed, the suit targets both CVS and Rite Aid, neither of which are Apple Pay partners and both had subsequently blocked Apple Pay from working within their respective stores. The law firm of Schubert Jonkheer & Kolbe are now looking into whether or not the actions of CVS, Rite Aid, and other Merchant Customer Exchange (MCX) members may be violating antitrust laws.
Both CVS and Rite Aid are members of MCX, along with other leading retailers like Walmart. MCX is backing its own CurrentC mobile payment standard, a rival to Apple Pay and NFC-based Google Wallet and Softcard. MCX members must commit to accepting CurrentC exclusively for a period of time so Apple Pay was shut out.
Schubert, Jonckheer & Kolbe said:
In light of this situation, Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe is investigating whether CVS and Rite Aid violated the antitrust laws by banding together with other MCX members in a decision to boycott other payments systems, including Apple Pay. Consumers with phones that support Apple Pay may be able to participate in a class action to restore the service at CVS and Rite Aid retail stores.
The firm is asking customers with an iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, or Android device with Google Wallet to contact them at nschubert@schubertlawfirm.com or by phone at 415-788-4220 as part of their investigation.
Source: Schubert Jonckheer & Kolbe