France’s answer to the US Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, the DGCCRF has filed suit against Apple. The DGCCRF is seeking 48.5 million euro ($55.2 million) over Apple’s “significantly unbalanced” contract terms with mobile carriers, that force carriers to buy a minimum number of phones, and allow Apple to use the companies’ trademarks and patents.
The suit, which will be split across 10 carriers if successful, also demands that Apple award carriers with more favorable terms related to performance in sales, commissions paid to staff, and quality of service. Other contract terms that the agency wants eliminated as part of the suit and in addition to the payout are mandatory payments into an Apple-run ad fund, the ability of Apple to terminate a contract with no warning and for any reason, and Apple’s restriction on carriers developing payment plans and other promotions without prior approval from Cupertino.
As reported by BFM, the battle’s venue is contested, as the agency filed against not only Apple France, but Apple Distribution International, based in Ireland. Apple’s attorneys have argued that the French courts lack jurisdiction, as the contracts which the agency seeks to void stipulate that disputes take place in London court.
