German regulators prohibit Amazon from implementing price controls and demand the return of €59 million in profits

The German Federal Cartel Office announced on February 5th that it prohibits Amazon from interfering with seller pricing on the German Amazon marketplace. "In the future, Amazon may only use relevant mechanisms to control seller prices in special circumstances, especially in cases of excessively high pricing, in accordance with the regulations of the German Federal Cartel Office." The German Federal Cartel Office stated that it has decided to order Amazon to return the economic benefits obtained through anti-competitive behavior, setting the first phase of the return amount at approximately €59 million, "due to confirmed anti-monopoly violations that are still ongoing." The statement noted that Amazon has one month to appeal, and the appeal will be adjudicated by the Federal Supreme Court of Germany. (Jiemian)