The plaintiffs, Zach Ward and Thomas Buchar, argue that Apple includes in the iPhone software that locks the subscriber to AT&Ts network. This action, they say, violates federal anti-trust laws, because Apple has done so without getting the subscribers contractual consent for the lock.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in U.S. District Court in Northern California, and is available .

Among the first to report the news was .

The lack of contractual consent is rooted in Apples deal with AT&T in 2007, when the carrier became the only U.S. cellular network to offer the iPhone. According to Musils account, the lawsuit argues that To enforce the terms of its agreement, Apple installed software locks on the iPhone that prevented buyers from taking their devices to a competing wireless carrier.  The plaintiffs say this violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, which includes an exception that allows handset owners to modify their phones for use on the wireless network of their choice.

"Through these actions, Apple has unlawfully stifled competition, reduced output and consumer choice, and artificially increased prices in the aftermarkets for iPhone voice and data services," according to the complaint.