Spain's high court said it would suspend fines against Apple and Amazon after it was informed that both companies would appeal against the antitrust regulator's ruling. Spain’s National Market Competition Commission (CNMC) first announced an investigation into the two companies in July 2021. The complaint alleges that the two companies unfairly colluded to "reduce competition in the Internet retail market for electronic products."
The core issue in the case is whether Apple has a transaction that limits product sales to itself and Amazon. By 2023, the CNMC believed it had found enough evidence to fine the two companies a total of 194.1 million euros (now $209.2 million).
Both Apple and Amazon said they would appeal the decision, and Reuters reports they have now done so. Apple did not comment, but an Amazon spokesman told Reuters that the Spanish high court's decision to suspend the fine was part of an appeals process.
According to Reuters, the CNMC fined Apple 143.6 million euros ($154.7 million) and Amazon 50.5 million euros ($54.42 million).
CNMC also said that Apple and Amazon signed a contract in 2018 making Amazon an authorized reseller of Apple. The contract is said to contain anti-competitive clauses, and CNMC claims that more than 90% of existing retailers are unable to sell Apple devices on Amazon.
Spanish regulators also said that after signing the contract, Amazon restricted Apple's rivals from advertising on its site when users search for products.
It has not yet been announced how long it will take Apple and Amazon to appeal, nor when a final ruling will be made.