Vodafone Questions Legality of Exclusive iPhone Deal in Germany

Vodafone has received a court injunction in Germany against Deutche Telekom's T-Mobile in Germany questioning the legality of their sales practices as releated to the iPhone.

Vodafone's objection is not directly related to T-Mobile's exclusivity to sell the iPhone, but rather the requirement that German consumers must purchase a 24-month contract with T-Mobile with their iPhone purchase. Sales of the iPhone in Germany continue while the courts will examine the complaint. Vodafone claimed the injunction was specific to Germany and they would not seek an injunction in other markets. "It is not right that our clients can only get an iPhone by signing a long-term contract with Telekom," said Friedrich Joussen who heads up Vodafone in Germany. "We want a rapid judicial clarification to know if the iPhone should be available to all or only to some."

Exclusive wireless carrier agreements has been standard when it comes to iPhone releases in the US, UK, France and Germany. Vodafone has lost out to Telefonica's O2, France Telecom and T-Mobile. This news comes on the heels of a rumored report that Vodafone will secure exclusive rights to a 3G iPhone that would launch in all markets where Vodafone is currently operating.