| >>>> "When the US fines foreign banks, VW group and others for incredibly higher amounts of money, it's fair-game" Who said this is 'fair game'? >>>>> "France was one of the top markets for Apple and had 20 years ago a vibrant network " A) '20 years ago' Apple was a completely different company, they were 1/20th the size. They are a completely different company, in every way. B) 'France was one of the top markets'? Apple sales in France have dramatically increased during this time - so I don't understand this point. C) Apple can distribute generally how they please as long as they're not breaking the law. >>>> "The "Autorité de la Concurrence" probably has the best grasp compared to anyone on HN regarding what is "normal business practices" So your argument is 'trust the authority of the French government because their logic is infallible' - while in the very same comment expressing that the US is engaged in 'arbitrary fining of foreign banks'? No, we should not trust them at all, we should demand transparency. >>>> As far as the specific points of law: 1) "Agreeing not to compete with one another". Really? Or is it that Apple required them to sell at specific prices - which is a very common practice. If you are Apple, why would you engage in price collusion, which is illegal everywhere, when you can dictate end prices? You can 'force' the wholesalers 'not to compete' - this happens in every industry, all the time, and it's not illegal. 2) "premium distributors were forced to keep prices high" This is not generally illegal and it's common practice! 3) "Apple has “abused the economic dependence” " - this is merely a claim, there's no substance behind it. >>>>>>>>>>> "It was a known fact at the time that independent Apple retailers were not getting stock from Apple for certain products" Having an amazingly hot product that is selling out everywhere is not illegal, and favoring some channels over others is not either. But all of this is missing the point: - Governments, US or French, applying regulatory law is important, obviously, it's important that actions are applied broadly, judiciously and with merit. Swiss banks have been hiding tax cheaters, so it's pretty reasonable that the US would go after them. As far as other Trump-era fines, well it depends, obviously, he's engaged in some nasty stuff, but it doesn't justify the other way around. - France is using their political and legal apparatuses as a means to grab revenue. Their economy is weak, they see this 'big American firns' making tons of cash, and they want some money. This is partly the motivation and its sad. - There's a number of laws they could change that would more fairly derive revenue derived from Apple, FB, Google, for example, local taxes on ads, and of course, fixing the massive EU tax loopholes. This would be more consistent with 'good governance'. - All of this is the loser's strategy. What they need is their own champions, which should be the primary focus. This will entail a whole set of reforms, and the willing effort and participation of the public at large as well. |