Tech Data fights €76.1m French fine

Broadliner says it will appeal the French authority’s findings that it colluded with Apple to fix prices in the French market

Tech Data today announced it will be fighting the French competition authority's (FCA) ruling that it allegedly fixed prices in the French market, together with Apple and Ingram Micro.

Last week, the watchdog claimed that Apple and the two distributors illegally prevented Apple Premium Resellers from competing on price, acting like a "cartel", and subjecting the French channel to "unfair and unfavourable commercial conditions".

Tech Data was hit with a €76.1m fine, while Apple and Ingram Micro were fined €1.1bn and €62.9m respectively.

As a total of € €1.24bn, it was the largest fine the watchdog has ever issued.

In a statement today, Tech Data said it "disagrees with" the ruling.

"Tech Data will be appealing the findings and legal reasoning of the French Competition Authority (FCA) in its decision against Tech Data.

"The case concerns the FCA's antitrust investigation regarding the distribution of Apple products (excluding the iPhone) in France between 2005 and 2013."

The US distributor also took issue with the language the French watchdog used in its press release announcing the fines, rejecting specifically the allegations Tech Data acted like a "cartel".

"Tech Data wishes to clarify that the FCA's decision concerns alleged anticompetitive vertical agreements between Apple and its wholesalers regarding volume allocations of Apple products - and not cartel practices, as the FCA's original English press release of 16 March suggested.

"The English version of the press release has since then been corrected accordingly. In the decision, the FCA also imposed fines on Apple for two additional allegedly anticompetitive practices.

"However, Tech Data has not been accused of participation in any of these practices."

Ingram Micro and Apple have also rejected the French competition authority's accusations.

Last week, Ingram Micro announced that it will "vigorously contest" its €62.9m fine.

"The French Competition Authority penalised Ingram Micro excessively because of so-called restricted practices towards its resellers, which they claim have a negative impact on consumers in France. These claims are absolutely false."

Meanwhile, Apple announced plans to appeal the ruling, claiming it goes against legal precedent in France.