UK tribunal permits part of consumer case against Apple and Amazon over marketplace pricing

London’s Competition Appeal Tribunal has green-lit a segment of a consumer class action targeting Apple and Amazon, permitting claims that the two firms colluded in 2018 to restrict which sellers could list Apple and Beats products on Amazon’s UK marketplace. The tribunal found these specific claims credible and potentially worth £289 million to £306 million with interest, but rejected a larger claim covering purchases from Apple’s own stores and other retailers as too speculative.

The lawsuit, originally brought by consumer-law academic Christine Riefa, was later refiled by Justin Le Patourel, who now serves as the consumer representative. Judges highlighted a plausible link between the reseller restrictions and higher prices for Amazon shoppers, yet noted a lack of evidence to prove similar price effects elsewhere. The decision revives the litigation after a prior refusal based on concerns over class representation and funding arrangements. The outcome may influence how major tech firms manage third-party sales on online platforms.