Apple asks US judge to toss antitrust lawsuit

Apple on Thursday asked a US judge to dismiss federal and state antitrust regulators' lawsuit accusing the iPhone maker of illegally monopolising the smartphone market, saying the case seeks "judicial redesign" of the popular smartphone.

The Justice Department, 19 states and Washington, DC, accuse Apple of an illegal monopoly on smartphones maintained by imposing contractual restrictions on, and withholding critical access from, developers.

In the motion filed in a Newark, New Jersey federal court, the company argued putting "reasonable limitations" on third party developers' access to its technology did not amount to anti-competitive behaviour.

The US District Judge Julien Neals, who oversees the case, will receive a response from the government and a reply from Apple before deciding the motion later this year.