ABSTRACT
Firms create and capture value through competitive interactions in legal domains. Apple has been plaintiff or defendant in legal actions against other parties in its value chain all over the globe. The fi rm has litigated claims with consumers, competitors, suppliers, and regulators. Apple’s litigation generally involves intellectual property disputes, but the fi rm has also been a party in lawsuits that involve antitrust claims, consumer actions, commercial unfair trade practices, defamation demands, and corporate espionage. Some of these actions have determined signifi cant case law for the information technology industry, and many have captured the attention of the public and media.1 Apple’s actions in legal domains have, however, allowed it to sustain and enhance unique product features. To some extent, Apple’s competitive advantage, like its capabilities to develop media switch technology, largely rests on its strategic conduct in legal arenas.2
