Italy fines Apple $1.2m for 'bad' support guarantees
updated 09:50 am EST, Tue December 27, 2011
Italy says Apple help was unclear
Italy's Antitrust Authority said it would fine Apple 900,000 euros, or about $1.2 million, after deciding that the company had conducted "bad commercial practices" with its support. The American firm had reportedly been "unclear" on payments for its extended AppleCare warranty, which earned about 500,000 euros ($650,000) of the fine. The remaining 400,000 euros were for not properly informing customers about how long the warranties would last.
Under Italian law, companies are required to give two years of free warranty support. The policy clashes with Apple's own, where it gives a typical one-year warranty and asks users to pay extra for a full three years on a Mac or two years for an iOS device.
Apple hasn't commented on the fine, although it's expected to change its warranty terms for Italy. The company implements a common policy where it can, but it has usually been known to bend on policies when local laws require it.
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2006
Apple never did get International laws
I've been comlaining for years to Apple and about Apple and its lack of interest in how things are done outside of the US when they impose their systems on other countries so I'm not surprised about this latest infiringement. I have a lot of problems buying Apps for instance from the App Store because they can't understand that someone who speaks English might live in a country with a different mother tongue, which means I have problems buying books for my iPad, Apps for my Mac and music for both.
I have to say though your reporting here is rather condescending "The company... has usually been known to bend on policies when local laws require it."
What you mean is that Apple has to obey the law like everyone else, not "bend" slightly towards it as you imply. A shame they don't check these things out from the beginning really.