Amazon & Italy’s Antitrust Watchdog Set for Fresh Appeals in Long-Running Competition Case

Key Takeaways

• Fine Reduced but Dispute Continues: An Italian court reduced Amazon’s antitrust fine from €1.13 billion to €752.4 million, but the ruling has not brought the case to a close.
• Amazon Plans to Appeal: Amazon maintains that it should not have been fined at all and intends to challenge the decision despite the lower penalty.
• Regulator Also Appeals: Italy’s competition authority plans to appeal the court’s decision to cut the fine, keeping the legal battle active on both sides.
• Logistics at the Center: The case focuses on allegations that Amazon favored sellers using its own logistics services, reinforcing its dominance in online marketplaces.

Deep Dive

Amazon plans to appeal an Italian antitrust ruling even after a court sharply reduced a record competition fine imposed on the company, signaling that a closely watched regulatory battle in Europe is far from over.

Earlier this week, an Italian court cut the penalty levied against Amazon to €752.4 million (approximately $876 million), down from the original €1.13 billion fine issued in 2021. The sanction stemmed from findings by Italy’s competition watchdog, the Italian Competition Authority, which concluded that Amazon abused its dominant position in the Italian e-commerce market.

Regulators accused the company of favoring third-party sellers that use its own logistics and fulfillment services, effectively disadvantaging merchants that rely on alternative delivery providers. According to the authority, this conduct distorted competition by reinforcing Amazon’s control over both the marketplace and the logistics infrastructure underpinning it.

Despite the reduced penalty, Amazon maintains that the fine should never have been imposed. The company intends to challenge the ruling in full, arguing that its practices benefited consumers and sellers alike and did not violate competition law, according to reporting by the Italian newspaper MF.

Complicating matters further, Italy’s competition authority has also indicated that it plans to appeal the court’s decision to lower the fine, setting the stage for continued legal proceedings on both sides.

The case shows the increasingly assertive stance European regulators have taken toward large U.S. technology companies, particularly where control over digital marketplaces and essential infrastructure is concerned. For Amazon, whose logistics network is a central pillar of its global business model, the dispute highlights the sustained scrutiny facing its integrated approach to e-commerce and fulfillment across the EU.

The GRC Report is your premier destination for the latest in governance, risk, and compliance news. As your reliable source for comprehensive coverage, we ensure you stay informed and ready to navigate the dynamic landscape of GRC. Beyond being a news source, the GRC Report represents a thriving community of professionals who, like you, are dedicated to GRC excellence. Explore our insightful articles and breaking news, and actively participate in the conversation to enhance your GRC journey.