Apple and Amazon face revived UK consumer lawsuit over product sales
A UK consumer lawsuit against Apple and Amazon has been partially allowed to proceed, alleging the companies restricted competition for Apple and Beats products on Amazon's UK marketplace, leading to inflated prices. The Competition Appeal Tribunal permitted claims related to Amazon marketplace purchases but rejected broader claims involving other retailers. Apple denies the claims, while Amazon welcomed the partial rejection.
Why it matters
This lawsuit highlights ongoing antitrust scrutiny faced by major tech companies and could result in significant financial penalties, potentially impacting how these companies operate their sales channels and affecting consumer prices in the UK.
LONDON, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Britain's Competition Appeal Tribunal allowed part of a revived consumer lawsuit against Apple and Amazon to proceed on Monday over claims they restricted competition.
The lawsuit alleges Apple and Amazon agreed in 2018 to limit which sellers could offer Apple and Beats-branded products on Amazon's UK website, reducing competition and inflating prices.
The tribunal allowed claims relating to Apple products bought through Amazon's marketplace to proceed, but rejected one covering those bought directly from Apple and other retailers.
An Apple spokesperson said it "strongly" disagreed with the claims and its aim in reaching the agreement with Amazon was to tackle counterfeit products on the marketplace.
Amazon welcomed the tribunal's decision, adding that the remaining claim was "without merit".
"We're confident that this will become clear throughout the process," an Amazon spokesperson said.
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