Apple, Amazon fined $225M by Italian antitrust regulator

Apple and Amazon were fined $225 million by an Italian antitrust watchdog over allegations that the tech giants violated European antitrust rules when they made a restrictive agreement that did not allow all legitimate resellers of Apple and Beats products to operate on Italy’s Amazon marketplace. 

The fine announced Tuesday includes a penalty of 134.5 million euros, or $151.32 million, for Apple, and 68.7 million euros, or $77.29 million, for Amazon. 

The Italian Competition Authority said an investigation found a 2018 agreement between the companies restricted access to Italy’s Amazon marketplace to selected resellers.  

Amazon intends to appeal the decision, according to a company spokesperson. 

“The proposed fine is disproportionate and unjustified,” Amazon said in a statement. “We reject the ICA’s suggestion that Amazon benefits by excluding sellers from our store, since our business model relies on their success.”

A spokesperson for Apple did not respond to a request for comment, but told The Associated Press they also plan to appeal.

“The proposed fine is disproportionate and unjustified,” Amazon said. “We reject the ICA’s suggestion that Amazon benefits by excluding sellers from our store, since our business model relies on their success.”

Apple told the AP it respects the Italian Competition Authority “but believe we have done nothing wrong” and that teaming up with selected resellers helps customer safety by ensuring products are genuine. 

“Non-genuine products deliver an inferior experience and can often be dangerous,” Apple said. “To ensure our customers purchase genuine products, we work closely with our reseller partners and have dedicated teams of experts around the world who work with law enforcement, customs and merchants to ensure only genuine Apple products are being sold.”

Updated 2:40 p.m.