Italy fines Apple $1.2 Million for misleading consumers

Published on 12-28-2011 04:02 AM

Italy's anti-trust authority said Tuesday it was imposing a 900,000-euro ($1.2-million) fine on US tech giant Apple for misleading consumers on assistance services and guarantees for its products.

"Sanctions of a total of 900,000 euros have been imposed on the Apple group after it was found responsible for bad commercial practices that harmed consumers," the agency said in a statement.

Apple had given "unclear information on payments for additional assistance offered to consumers" and the company had not "fully implemented the two-year guarantee by the producer," it added.

European antitrust officials earlier this month launched a probe to determine whether Apple and five international publishers struck illegal deals to fix the price of e-books in Europe.

Apple has also come under pressure from a bitter global legal battle with South Korean electronics giant Samsung, which accuses the US giant of infringing four of its patents with the iPhone.

Apple reported a record net profit of $6.62 billion (5.06 billion euros) in the third quarter of this year.

Categories:
Hardware

5 Comments

duke0102 - 12-28-2011, 10:55 AM
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I read about this in the paper the other day, something about they were telling customers the item had a one year warranty and were selling the 2 year after care thing. I know a few shops that do this over here so it's almost common practice although still very wrong.

TheFoX - 12-28-2011, 11:06 AM
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In many countries, the governments have determined that electronic devices should last up to six years with average wear and tear. After all, what idiot buys something that will only last one year and one day?Guarantees and warranties are a con move anyway, because if something isn't designed to last a reasonable time (up to six years, depending on quality and price), you can argue that it is not fit for the purpose, or made substandard.

duke0102 - 12-28-2011, 04:49 PM
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I partially agree with you but cheap is cheap for a reason and you can't expect that to last as long but at the same time who can define what is or isn't 'cheap' when it comes to mid range stuff.

hikaricore - 12-30-2011, 01:47 PM
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Apple products will last a long time as I'm still using my 3GS. I could get a new phone if I wanted but I don't see the point of changing phones every year like all these other n00bs. These other companies are just jealous of Apple's success and will try any underhanded tactic to hurt their business since they can't compete.

duke0102 - 12-31-2011, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by hikaricore

Apple products will last a long time as I'm still using my 3GS. I could get a new phone if I wanted but I don't see the point of changing phones every year like all these other n00bs. These other companies are just jealous of Apple's success and will try any underhanded tactic to hurt their business since they can't compete.

Lmao, apples history so far is stealing ideas and underhanded tactics so i'm glad other companies aren't the same.