French APRs plot anti-Apple public demo

Disgruntled Apple partners plan to storm French capital, as eBizcuss' row with vendor heats up

Staff from several French Apple Premium Resellers (APRs) are reportedly holding a demonstration in Paris today over claims that the vendor has been depriving them of inventory.

A report on French gadget site Zone Numérique says a group of disgruntled APR employees, calling themselves the Apple of Discord, will be voicing their frustrations at working with the vendor at a public event in Paris today.

The aim is to highlight the stock supply problems that are said to have blighted the French APR channel in recent months.

The action has been linked to the legal spat that broke out between Apple and Gallic APR eBizcuss at the end of last year.

The French company filed a suit against the vendor last November, claiming Apple unfairly favoured its own stores when doling out supplies of new products.

EBizcuss operates 16 retail outlets in France and has said its third-quarter sales were down 30 per cent because it was denied access to sufficient supplies of the iPad 2 and MacBook Air at launch.

The firm released a statement earlier this week announcing plans to withdraw its shares from the Euronext stock exchange for two days in light of its continuing dispute with Apple.

According to the missive, its shares will be relisted today.

The statement, translated from French, said the "difficulties" eBizcuss has encountered during its dealings with Apple have affected its financial position.

"Given the strong dependency of eBizcuss [on the] company, Apple, discussions were held with the latter to reach a favourable outcome for the sustainability of [our business] activities and preservation of jobs," read the statement.

"These discussions are ongoing and the company will not fail to communicate their progress."