"Retail Price Control... Apple Fined 1.5 Trillion KRW in France for Anti-Competitive Practices"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Apple has been fined 1.1 billion euros (approximately 1.509 trillion KRW) by the French competition authorities. The fine was imposed on the grounds that Apple abused its dominant position to control the retail prices of its products, disrupting competitive order. Apple immediately protested and announced plans to appeal.

According to economic broadcaster CNBC and others, the French Competition Authority announced this fine imposition policy on the 16th (local time).

The competition authorities judged that Apple 'recommended' the US Apple Store and online sales prices to independent retailers in France, monitored each retailer's selling prices, and demanded price increases for prices below the standard, thereby preventing normal price competition.

Not only Apple but also two wholesalers in France were fined for collusion. Tech Data was fined 76.1 million euros, and Ingram Micro was fined 62.9 million euros.

Isabelle de Silva, Chairwoman of the Competition Authority, stated, "Apple and the two wholesalers agreed not to compete with each other and disrupted the market by preventing independent retailers from engaging in price competition." The competition authorities confirmed that the total amount of fines reached 1.24 billion euros, marking the largest amount ever imposed for a single case.

In response, an Apple spokesperson said, "The decision by the French competition authorities is disappointing," and added, "We plan to appeal."

This is the second time in the past two months that French authorities have fined Apple. Earlier in February, Apple was fined 25 million euros for intentionally slowing down older iPhones.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.