The Delhi High Court directed the Competition Commission of India not to pass a final order in antitrust proceedings against Apple until July 15, 2024 [1].
This legal pause prevents the regulator from concluding its investigation into whether Apple abused its dominance in the app store market while the company challenges the scope of the inquiry. The ruling ensures that the CCI cannot penalize the tech giant before the court hears Apple's objections regarding the legality of the investigation's demands.
Apple has contested the CCI's proceedings, arguing that the regulator is over-reaching. Specifically, the company has challenged the commission's demand for financial data, and the imposition of penalties based on Apple's global turnover [3].
During the proceedings, Apple's counsel, A.M. Singhvi, said the CCI had scheduled a final hearing for May 21, 2024 [2], despite the court petition being listed for July 15, 2024 [2]. The court intervened to ensure the petition is heard before any final decision is rendered.
Conflict remains regarding the company's compliance with the regulator. A statement from the CCI said its April 8 order sought financial details from Apple, which the company has not submitted since October 2024 [3]. However, other reports indicate the case was actively being litigated in mid-2024 [2].
"The Delhi High Court has directed that no final order be passed on the matter till July 15," the court reported [1]. The stay allows the judicial process to determine if the CCI's request for global financial data exceeds its statutory authority, a critical point for how international tech firms are regulated in India.
“The Delhi High Court has directed that no final order be passed on the matter till July 15.”
This ruling highlights a growing tension between India's antitrust regulators and global tech firms over 'global turnover' penalties. If the court sides with Apple, it could limit the CCI's ability to levy massive fines based on a company's worldwide revenue rather than just its earnings within the Indian market, potentially altering the regulatory landscape for all multinational technology companies operating in the region.
