The European Union’s antitrust investigation into Apple ebooks has concluded without any definitive outcome.
The EU announced that the investigation was closed due to the withdrawal of the complaint against Apple; however, this likely indicates that the claims had lost significance…
Closure of Apple ebooks Antitrust Investigation
The EU initiated an investigation but has now confirmed the complaint’s withdrawal, resulting in the case’s closure.
After the complaint from an e-book and audiobook distributor against Apple was withdrawn, the Commission has opted to terminate its antitrust investigation concerning e-book/audiobook applications.
The Commission emphasizes that this does not imply that Apple has not violated competition laws.
The conclusion of an investigation does not mean that the actions in question conform to EU competition regulations. The Commission will maintain oversight of business practices within the European tech sector, including Apple’s, in accordance with the DMA [Digital Markets Act] and competition regulations.
The Irrelevance of the Investigation
The Digital Markets Act already mandated that Apple relinquish its monopoly over the distribution of iPhone applications and in-app purchases, which encompasses ebooks alongside other content.
Thus, whether Apple’s handling of ebooks specifically constituted a breach of competition law is moot, as the EU had already determined that the broader issue of maintaining a monopoly over iPhone apps and in-app content was unlawful. Apple has responded by permitting third-party app marketplaces (although arguably in a way that may not fully comply with legal requirements), rendering any continued investigation into this singular facet unnecessary.
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