With the yesterday fallout when US Department of Justice had sued Apple and other publishers over eBook pricing issue, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is said to be considering taking action against Apple for the second time in a month, over allegations that the Cupertino-based technology giant has engaged in price-fixing.
The ACCC earlier made an application to the Federal Court in Melbourne for orders against Apple for alleged contraventions of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL). The ACCC alleges that Apple’s recent promotion of the new “iPad with WiFi + 4G” is misleading. Over on which the Cupertino-based iPad maker offered its new iPad buyers in Australia the opportunity to get a full refund.
The ACCC has urged retailers to formally raise the issue as it considers following a move by the US Justice Department (DOJ), where the US government issued legal proceedings against Apple and five of the world’s biggest book publishers. The ACCC released the following statement:
“The ACCC has previously stated that impediments to emerging competition involving online traders is an area of priority,” an ACCC spokesman said.
“Competition concerns may arise where traders seek to restrict the discounting of products by way of restrictive arrangements with suppliers. Retailers with concerns should raise them with the ACCC.”
