Key Points
- Amazon will appeal an Italian court ruling that upheld a reduced antitrust fine of €752.4 million, arguing it should not be penalised.
- The fine stems from a 2021 finding that Amazon abused its dominant position in e-commerce logistics in Italy.
- Both Amazon and the Italian antitrust authority plan separate appeals, extending a high-profile competition dispute.
U.S. e-commerce giant Amazon said it will appeal an Italian court’s decision that upheld a reduced antitrust fine, arguing it should not be penalised at all. The legal battle stems from a record €1.13 billion fine imposed by Italy’s competition watchdog in 2021, which a regional court trimmed to €752.4 million ($876 million) following a review last September.
The original penalty was levied after Italian regulators determined Amazon had abused its dominant position in e-commerce logistics, particularly by giving preferential treatment to sellers using its own fulfilment network rather than independent logistics providers. The reduction reflected a partial win for Amazon, but the company says it continues to strongly disagree with the antitrust authority’s findings and intends to take the matter to higher courts.
In an emailed statement, Amazon reiterated that it believes its business practices comply with competition laws and said it plans to push its legal arguments throughout the appeals process. Italian financial daily MF first reported the company’s intention to pursue further legal action, noting the dispute remains unresolved.
Italian antitrust regulators are also preparing their own appeal against the decision that lowered the fine, signaling that both sides remain engaged in ongoing litigation that could extend for years. The competition authority declined to comment on its strategy.
The case highlights the intense regulatory scrutiny facing major tech platforms in Europe, where authorities have increasingly targeted allegations of anti-competitive conduct by digital marketplaces. Critics of Amazon’s practices say logistics control gives the company an unfair advantage over smaller rivals, while supporters argue integrated services benefit customers with speed and reliability.
European regulators have pursued multiple antitrust actions against large tech firms, and Amazon’s appeal in Italy could influence how competition law is applied to e-commerce logistics across the region. The dispute also underscores the complex interplay between national courts and regulatory bodies in enforcing competition standards against global technology companies.
