Apple again risks record $15.3bn fine - European General Court ruling could be overturned

In the summer of 2020, the European Court of General Jurisdiction cancelled Apple's record fine. However, more than three years later, the court's own decision may be overturned.

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Such a statement was made by the general counsel of the European Court of General Jurisdiction Giovanni Pitruzzella. According to him, the decision should be cancelled because of errors of a legal nature.

In 2016, Margrethe Vestager, Commissioner for Competition, said that Apple managed to reach an agreement with the Irish authorities, which ensured a tax rate of less than 1 per cent. By doing so, the US company had violated European Union rules on state subsidies.

The European Commission fined Apple a record €14.3bn ($15.3bn). In 2018, Apple paid Ireland that amount. After that, all funds went on deposit until the end of the legal proceedings.

Apple has already commented on the information about a possible reconsideration of the decision to cancel the fine. It stated that the European Court of General Jurisdiction in its ruling of July 2020 proved that the company had no advantages and did not receive assistance from the state. Apple therefore believes that the decision to cancel the fine should remain in force.

Source: ArsTechnica