Reuters reports that an investigation has been opened in Italy.
That partnership took the form of a global deal which was quickly criticized for threatening the livelihood of small, independent sellers.
The Federal Trade Commission opened a US investigation into it last year, with suggestions that ‘it’s basically a price-fixing agreement between a dominant retailer and a brand [which is] illegal under Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act.’ Apple is now facing another antitrust investigation into the same issue in Italy.
CNN recently reported that the deal ‘could be the final blow for many small online resale and repair shops.’
This adds to the long list of antitrust investigations we’ve covered previously.
Apple has taken steps to address some of them, but needs to do more if it is to avoid finding itself on the wrong end of both fines and legislation.
