Italian court cuts 1.1-billion-euro antitrust fine on Amazon
An Italian court has reduced a 1.13-billion-euro antitrust fine on Amazon, originally imposed by Italy’s competition authority for alleged abuse of a dominant position. The court upheld the regulator's findings but criticized the rationale for a 50% increase in the fine. The revised fine could be around 750 million euros, although the exact amount was not specified. Amazon has not commented on the ruling, which addresses restrictions on competition in e-commerce logistics services in Italy.
ROME, Sept 2 (Reuters) - An Italian administrative court has reduced a 1.13-billion-euro ($1.32 billion) fine imposed on Amazon (AMZN.O) in 2021 by Italy’s competition authority for alleged abuse of a dominant position, a ruling showed on Tuesday.
The Lazio administrative court upheld the main findings by the regulator, but said the amount of the fine had to be recalculated, arguing that the watchdog had not adequately explained the reasons for including a discretionary 50% increase.
The ruling did not specify the revised figure.
Deducting the 50% surcharge from the original 1.13 billion euros would result in a final fine of around 750 million euros, according to Reuters calculations.
Amazon had no immediate comment on the ruling.
The company was originally fined for restricting competition in e-commerce logistics services in Italy. At the time, it was one of the biggest penalties imposed on a U.S. tech giant in Europe. ($1 = 0.8542 euros)
