Amazon Faces $5.4 Billion UK Antitrust Lawsuits
Amazon faces two major antitrust lawsuits in the UK amounting to £4 billion ($5.4 billion) because the Competition Appeal Tribunal allowed the cases to move forward. The lawsuit brought by competition law professor Andreas Stephan represents more than 200,000 third-party sellers and demands up to £2.7 billion. The lawsuit focuses on Amazon's practice of giving preference to products that use its logistics services and its manipulation of the "Buy Box" feature to limit market competition.
The second lawsuit filed by consumer advocate Robert Hammond seeks to recover £1.3 billion from millions of UK shoppers. The legal cases received opt-out certification which automatically includes all affected parties unless they decide to exclude themselves.
Amazon dismissed the lawsuits as baseless while highlighting its backing for the 100,000 businesses that operate through its UK marketplace. The company stated that independent sellers make up more than 50% of physical goods sold on its platform.
The tribunal's approval represents an initial phase of what could become a long-term legal fight regarding Amazon's marketplace practices and their effects on competitors and consumers.
Dominic Maley is an American journalist recognized for his sharp and insightful reporting on social and political issues. His work is known for its depth, integrity, and the ability to highlight critical societal concerns.