An appeals court has revived an antitrust lawsuit against Amazon filed by the Attorney General of Washington, DC more than three years ago, alleging that the online retailer illegally raised prices for consumers. The lawsuit, originally filed in 2021, focused on Amazon’s practices related to third-party sellers and highlighted a provision in their agreements that allowed them to punish businesses offering products at lower prices on non-Amazon platforms. The case was later expanded to include Amazon’s pricing tactics for wholesalers, leading to a dismissal in 2022, which has now been reversed by the appeals court. This decision adds to Amazon’s antitrust troubles, as they are also facing lawsuits from the Federal Trade Commission and multiple states, along with an investigation by the UK’s antitrust regulator over their investment in Anthropic. DC’s current AG Brian Schwalb emphasized the district’s commitment to fighting against Amazon’s alleged unfair practices, stating that they will continue their efforts to protect consumers and promote innovation and choice in online retail. Amazon has not yet responded to requests for comment.
