Last week the Supreme Court of Victoria dismissed a case brought against Uber by Taxi Apps, the operator of a competing rideshare app.
In Taxi Apps Pty Ltd v Uber Technologies Inc & Ors [2025] VSC 514, Taxi Apps contended that Uber engaged in an unlawful conspiracy to inflict economic harm on its business.
The contention refers to the events of 2010s when Taxi Apps launched its Go Catch app to connect passengers to taxi drivers. In 2014, Uber launched its ride share app in Australia before it was legalised in successive states in 2015 – 2017. Go Catch ultimately failed. Taxi App claimed the failure was caused by Uber unlawfully devising, directing and controlling the implementation of a deliberate strategy to launch UberX in Australia before ridesharing was legalised.
Notwithstanding Uber’s admission that drivers provided the Uber service initially without accreditation or licences, and findings that Uber obtained a list of Go Catch drivers and poached them to join Uber, the proceedings were dismissed.
Nichols J, noting the elements of the tort of conspiracy to inflict economic harm by unlawful means, held that Taxi App’s case did not establish the necessary elements of intention, or an agreement between Uber Inc and its subsidiaries to inflict harm on Taxi Apps.
An earlier class action brought by taxi licence holders was settled for $272 million.
John Sheahan KC and David Sulan SC of Banco Chambers appeared for Uber Inc, instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer.