Key facts
- A UK consumer lawsuit against Apple and Amazon over product sales has partially advanced.
- The lawsuit alleges Apple and Amazon agreed in 2018 to restrict sellers of Apple products on Amazon's UK marketplace.
- The tribunal found claims related to Amazon marketplace purchases to be plausible.
- Claims concerning products bought directly from Apple or other retailers were rejected.
- The portion of the case allowed to proceed could be worth between £289 million and £306 million, including interest.
Britain's Competition Appeal Tribunal has permitted a consumer lawsuit against Apple and Amazon to move forward, alleging that the tech giants colluded to limit competition in the sale of Apple products on Amazon's UK platform. The tribunal ruled that claims concerning Apple products purchased through Amazon's marketplace were credible and grounded in fact, but dismissed broader claims related to products bought directly from Apple or other retailers, deeming them too speculative.
The lawsuit, refiled by consumer law advocate Justin Le Patourel, contends that an agreement in 2018 between Apple and Amazon restricted the number of sellers offering Apple and Beats-branded items on Amazon's UK website, which allegedly led to higher prices for consumers. The portion of the case that has been allowed to proceed could potentially award consumers between £289 million and £306 million, inclusive of interest. A previous, similar lawsuit brought by Christine Riefa was dismissed last year due to concerns about the proposed class representative and litigation funding.