Competition opens a sanctioning file against Apple and Amazon for restricting the sale of third companies
The National Commission of Markets and Competition (CNMC) has opened a sanctioning file against Apple and Amazon for possible anti-competitive practices in the sectors of online sales of electronic products and the provision of marketing services to third-party sellers, as reported the regulator this Thursday in a statement.
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The CNMC has explained that it has had access to "certain information" from which it can be deduced the existence of "rational indications" that Amazon and Apple have incurred in a series of competition infringements.
According to the agency, both companies have agreed to a series of restrictions on Amazon's website in Spain. On the one hand, Amazon would have restricted the retail sale of Apple products by third parties. It would also have restricted "certain advertising" of competing Apple products and certain campaigns directed at Apple customers by Amazon.
The CNMC is also investigating other possible trade restrictions, although it has not explained in detail which ones it refers to.
"The investigated conducts could be restricting competition in the sectors of the Internet sale of electronic products, and the provision of marketing services to third-party retailers through online platforms (Marketplace) in Spain," explained the CNMC , warning that this opening of the file "does not prejudge" the final result of the investigation.
A maximum period of 18 months is now open for the investigation of the file and for its resolution by the highest market regulator.
The companies investigated are Amazon Services Europe, Amazon Europe Core, Amazon EU and Amazon Online Spain, while the iPhone manufacturer is Apple Distribution International, Apple Retail Spain and Apple Marketing Iberia.
