Amazon Challenges Italian Court Decision on Antitrust Fine
Amazon has officially stated it will appeal a recent Italian court ruling concerning a major antitrust penalty. The company firmly believes it should not face any fine at all. This legal action comes after an Italian court decided to reduce a fine originally imposed by Italy's antitrust regulator back in 2021.
Fine Reduced but Dispute Continues
The court lowered the penalty from 1.13 billion euros to 752.4 million euros. That amount equals approximately $876.3 million. Despite this significant reduction of nearly $250 million, Amazon maintains its position. The US e-commerce giant insists it did not abuse its market position in Italy.
The original fine stemmed from accusations by the Italian Competition Authority. Regulators claimed Amazon used its dominant market position to favor its own logistics service. They argued this practice restricted competition in the Italian market.
Regulator's Allegations and Amazon's Response
At the time, authorities said Amazon linked specific benefits to the use of its in-house fulfillment services. For example, the "Prime" label was tied to these services. This approach allegedly harmed third-party logistics providers operating in Italy.
Amazon responded with a strong statement. "As previously stated, we strongly disagree with the decision of the Italian Competition Authority," the company told Reuters. "We will continue to emphasize our position throughout the legal proceedings."
Italian Regulator Seeks Higher Penalty
Meanwhile, Italy's antitrust regulator remains dissatisfied with the court's decision. According to reports from the Italian financial newspaper MF, the regulator wants to reinstate the original higher penalty of 1.13 billion euros. To achieve this, the regulator plans to appeal the ruling as well.
This development suggests the case may now move to a higher court. Such a move would prolong a legal battle that has already lasted nearly five years. Both sides appear prepared for continued litigation over Amazon's market practices in Italy.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between global tech giants and European regulators. Italy's case against Amazon represents one of several antitrust challenges facing large digital platforms in the region. The outcome could influence how similar cases are handled across Europe.
Amazon continues to operate its logistics and marketplace services in Italy during these proceedings. The company has not indicated any changes to its business practices as a result of the ongoing legal dispute. Market watchers will closely follow the appeals process as it unfolds in Italian courts.
