French authorities raided Apple’s office in France and seized documents that may be used against the company on the antitrust probe.
André Piérard, a spokesman for the Competition Authority, confirmed that the main headquarter and some of its offices, wholesalers and distributors were searched by their team. The order was to seize documents that may be used for the investigation. They were also accompanied by police officers during the raid.
Apple is notorious for its strict controls over product image and advertising but also became an easy target of scrutiny in Europe and other countries. In Europe, authorities have been investigating if Apple had conspired with the carriers to manipulate the contracts offered to the public.
The news about the raid first came out in Les Échos, a financial newspaper edited in Paris. According to the news, the antitrust probe began when eBizcuss chief executive, François Prudent, accused Apple of manipulating the market by using its status as the most profitable company in the world. He filed a formal complaint to the Competition Authority accusing Apple of opening its own Apple stores in the country to sell its latest products while depriving the wholesalers and retailers of it. They were given only outdated models.
The Competition Authority is now investigating if Apple intentionally delayed the delivery of the orders made by the retailers and wholesalers like eBizcuss. They are also looking at the transactions made by Apple through its online app stores.
Apple has been on a hot seat in France in different issues. Aside from this supply manipulation probe, the company was also ordered by the French government to pay $6.5 million for the tax they didn’t settle in 2011 for their iPad sales. In the U.S, tax avoidance and e-book sale manipulation are the issues Apple has on its plate.
Well, pretty rough year for the iPad maker. Let’s see if it can survive all these blows.
