As predicted a few days ago, the French government has in fact decided to apply a heavy fine at Apple due to anti-competitive practices, after years of investigations.
The amount of the fine, according to Competition Authority, will be 1.1 billion euros – the equivalent of R $ 5.8 billion, at the current price.
And Apple will not be alone in this: France’s antitrust agency will also fine two local distributors, Tech Data and the Ingram Micro, respectively EUR 63 million (~ R $ 333 million) and 76 million euros (~ R $ 401.5 million), for having agreed to set prices by Cupertino’s determination.
What we have here is a classic example of a cartel, in which multiple competing companies sit down, discuss and set common minimum prices for products so that the dispute between them does not harm their profits. This, of course, is illegal.
THE CNBC, an Apple spokesman said the company «strongly disagrees» with the decision and that it will obviously appeal.
This is the second fine Apple has received from France in a few months. At the beginning of last February, the value was EUR 25 million – this referring to the controversy involving slower iPhones due to worn out batteries.
via VentureBeat
