While the Spanish authorities don’t go into much detail, it seems likely this relates to the global deal reached between the two companies back in 2018, and follow-on developments to this …
Background
While the arrangement was touted as being safer for consumers, protecting them against counterfeit products and retailers of unknown standing, many legitimate resellers – especially of used products – said that this would cost them their livelihood, and deprive buyers of significant cost savings. Only those selling millions of dollars’ worth of Apple products qualified for authorized reseller status.
An antitrust investigation into this arrangement was opened in Italy, encompassing both Apple and Beats products.
Spain has now announced what appears to be a similar investigation. The Comisión Nacional De Los Mercados Y La Competencia (CNMC) description suggests it has the same concerns over the impact of the deal.
The CNMC says there is evidence that the companies have broken two laws.
They would affect the retail sale of Apple products by third parties and the advertising of competing Apple products.
The behaviours could reduce competition in the Internet retail market for electronic products.
The regulatory body has 18 months to complete its investigation.
