MADRID: The CNMC, Spain’s competition watchdog, is looking into Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.’s possible anti-competitive actions in online electronic goods sales in Spain. The CNMC announced on Thursday that it has launched disciplinary proceedings against both businesses for alleged illegal activity, which could entail limits on the Amazon website in Spain.
“(Restrictions) would harm third-party retail sales of Apple products and promotion of competing Apple items, resulting in less competition in the Internet retail market for electronic devices,” according to the CNMC.
Furthermore, they have the potential to increase Amazon’s position in the Spanish industry of delivering marketing services to third-party shops via online platforms.
Amazon said in a statement that it is fully cooperating with the authorities on the matter, while Apple in Spain did not respond to requests for comment.
The CNMC’s rules allow for an investigation and conclusion of the case to take up to 18 months.
(Jess Aguado contributed reporting, and Jonathan Oatis edited the piece.)
Reuters is the source of this information./n
