Competition Commission of India: Amazon engaging in anti-competitive behavior News
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Competition Commission of India: Amazon engaging in anti-competitive behavior

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) argued before the Karnataka High Court Monday that Amazon is violating India’s Competition Act, a 2002 law that governs monopoly activity.

The CCI alleges that Amazon struck deals with businesses to be the exclusive seller of goods, such as Apple and Samsung smartphones. Moreover, the CCI alleges that Amazon’s pricing of certain goods was anticompetitive. Amazon’s counsel, Gopal Subramanium, argues that Amazon was not the exclusive seller of certain products and that dealers on Amazon are willing to lower maximum retail prices during product launches.

Moreover, Amazon contends that the CCI has not satisfied its obligation to bring forward a bona fide informant. Amazon notes that the trade group Confederation of All India Traders approached the CCI to initiate an investigation after unsuccessful legal attempts at limiting Amazon’s operations in India in the past. The CCI operates by accepting complaints by private parties, such as Aiova, whose complaint initiated the current investigation.

Amazon India’s antitrust investigation is taking place as Amazon faces antitrust battles in the US and the EU.