Italian regulators fine Amazon $1.3 billion for violating competition rules
By UPI Staff
Italian regulators noted that Amazon denies vendors access to its Prime loyalty program, saying that the practice has an anti-competitive impact.
File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Italian regulators on Thursday ordered retail giant Amazon to pay more than $1 billion for violating European Union antitrust rules, which is one of the largest fines ever imposed against the company in Europe.
The AGCM, Italy's antitrust regulator, said Amazon breached EU rules by exploiting its dominant market position to outperform independent sellers on its website.
Specifically, regulators said, Amazon required third-party sellers to use its logistics service, called "Fulfilled by Amazon," to the detriment of competitors.
Officials noted that Amazon also denies vendors access to its Prime loyalty program, saying it has an anti-competitive impact.
For the purported violations, the AGCM fined Amazon nearly $1.3 billion.
Amazon responded by saying that it "profoundly" disagreed with the penalty, which it called "unjustified and disproportionate." The company said it would appeal.
The AGCM fined Apple and Amazon $230 million last month after finding that Amazon resold certain Apple products and blocked other resellers.
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Italian regulators on Thursday ordered retail giant Amazon to pay more than $1 billion for violating European Union antitrust rules, which is one of the largest fines ever imposed against the company in Europe.
The AGCM, Italy's antitrust regulator, said Amazon breached EU rules by exploiting its dominant market position to outperform independent sellers on its website.
Specifically, regulators said, Amazon required third-party sellers to use its logistics service, called "Fulfilled by Amazon," to the detriment of competitors.
Officials noted that Amazon also denies vendors access to its Prime loyalty program, saying it has an anti-competitive impact.
For the purported violations, the AGCM fined Amazon nearly $1.3 billion.
Amazon responded by saying that it "profoundly" disagreed with the penalty, which it called "unjustified and disproportionate." The company said it would appeal.
The AGCM fined Apple and Amazon $230 million last month after finding that Amazon resold certain Apple products and blocked other resellers.
NHL's Arizona Coyotes pay tax debts, avoid arena eviction
By Alex Butler & Connor Grott
Employees from the NHL's Arizona Coyotes could have been locked out of Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., if the team didn't settle city and state tax debts. Photo by Kyvuh/Wikimedia Commons
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The Arizona Coyotes avoided eviction from Gila River Arena after making good on delinquent tax bills and other unpaid facility charges.
On Wednesday, city officials announced they would revoke the team's business license and lock the Coyotes out of their Glendale, Ariz., arena if the franchise didn't pay its debts to the state, the city and ASM Global -- the arena management company that operates Gila River Arena -- by Dec. 20.
The Arizona Department of Revenue filed a tax lien notice in excess of $1.3 million against the hockey organization for the unpaid state and city taxes. Officials said the city of Glendale is owed $250,000 of that debt balance.
On Thursday, Coyotes spokesperson Rich Nairn told the Arizona Republic and ESPN that the team had squared away the overdue bills.
"The Coyotes are current on all bills and tax liabilities," he said.
In a statement released Wednesday night, the Coyotes attributed the delinquent payments to possible human error.
"We have already launched an investigation to determine how this could have happened and initial indications are that it appears to be the result of an unfortunate human error," the Coyotes said. "Regardless, we deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused.
"We will make sure that by [Thursday] morning, the Arizona Coyotes are current on all of our bills and owe no state or local taxes whatsoever. And we will take immediate steps to ensure that nothing like this can ever possibly happen again."
The Coyotes started play at Gila River Arena in 2003. In August, the city of Glendale informed the team of plans to opt out of its joint lead agreement for the arena. The 2021-22 season is scheduled to be the team's final season at the facility.
The Coyotes host the Florida Panthers at 9 p.m. EST Friday at Gila River Arena. They also play in Glendale on Saturday, Wednesday and Dec. 23, three days after the deadline.
By Alex Butler & Connor Grott
Employees from the NHL's Arizona Coyotes could have been locked out of Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., if the team didn't settle city and state tax debts. Photo by Kyvuh/Wikimedia Commons
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- The Arizona Coyotes avoided eviction from Gila River Arena after making good on delinquent tax bills and other unpaid facility charges.
On Wednesday, city officials announced they would revoke the team's business license and lock the Coyotes out of their Glendale, Ariz., arena if the franchise didn't pay its debts to the state, the city and ASM Global -- the arena management company that operates Gila River Arena -- by Dec. 20.
The Arizona Department of Revenue filed a tax lien notice in excess of $1.3 million against the hockey organization for the unpaid state and city taxes. Officials said the city of Glendale is owed $250,000 of that debt balance.
On Thursday, Coyotes spokesperson Rich Nairn told the Arizona Republic and ESPN that the team had squared away the overdue bills.
"The Coyotes are current on all bills and tax liabilities," he said.
In a statement released Wednesday night, the Coyotes attributed the delinquent payments to possible human error.
"We have already launched an investigation to determine how this could have happened and initial indications are that it appears to be the result of an unfortunate human error," the Coyotes said. "Regardless, we deeply regret the inconvenience this has caused.
"We will make sure that by [Thursday] morning, the Arizona Coyotes are current on all of our bills and owe no state or local taxes whatsoever. And we will take immediate steps to ensure that nothing like this can ever possibly happen again."
The Coyotes started play at Gila River Arena in 2003. In August, the city of Glendale informed the team of plans to opt out of its joint lead agreement for the arena. The 2021-22 season is scheduled to be the team's final season at the facility.
The Coyotes host the Florida Panthers at 9 p.m. EST Friday at Gila River Arena. They also play in Glendale on Saturday, Wednesday and Dec. 23, three days after the deadline.
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