Federal Trade Commission, et al. v. Amazon.com, Inc.
Summary: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and several states, including New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and others, have filed a lawsuit against Amazon alleging anticompetitive conduct and illegal strategies to maintain its monopoly power in the online retail industry. The complaint accuses Amazon of using tactics such as anti-discounting measures and coercive practices to prevent rivals from effectively competing against it. The lawsuit seeks equitable relief to undo these practices and restore competition in the online retail market. The lawsuit also claims that Amazon's dominance in the online superstore market is protected by barriers to entry, including scale economies and network effects. It further alleges that Amazon engages in a course of conduct that blocks competition and maintains its monopolies in both the online superstore and online marketplace services markets. The lawsuit accuses Amazon of anticompetitive practices such as anti-discounting strategies, coercing sellers to use its fulfillment services, and manipulating prices through algorithms. These practices allegedly limit competition, hinder price competition, reduce product selection, and harm consumers. The lawsuit seeks injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, costs, and other appropriate remedies.
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