UK Tribunal Clears Class-Action Lawsuit Against Apple and Amazon
A UK tribunal has greenlit a class-action lawsuit alleging Apple and Amazon colluded to inflate prices for third-party sellers on the Amazon marketplace.
A UK tribunal has given the green light for a class-action lawsuit to proceed against Apple and Amazon. The legal challenge alleges that a 2018 agreement between the two tech giants unfairly restricted third-party sellers on the Amazon platform, ultimately resulting in higher prices for consumers.
As reported by 9to5mac.com, the Competition Appeal Tribunal has narrowed the scope of the case. The lawsuit will now focus exclusively on Apple products purchased through the Amazon marketplace, excluding items bought directly from Apple or other third-party retailers.
This development follows a previous rejection in 2023, when the tribunal dismissed an earlier version of the suit citing concerns over the funding structure and the independence of the class representative. The current legal action is being led by class representative Justin Le Patourel.
Quick answers
What is the lawsuit about?
The lawsuit alleges that a 2018 agreement between Apple and Amazon restricted third-party sellers on Amazon, which led to higher prices for consumers.
Which products are covered by the lawsuit?
The lawsuit is limited to Apple products purchased via the Amazon marketplace, excluding products bought directly from Apple or other retailers.
Why was a previous version of this lawsuit rejected?
In 2023, the tribunal rejected the case due to concerns regarding the funding structure and the independence of the class representative.