HP fined $14,4 million for cartel and price manipulation

iGuRu.gr > HP fined $14,4 million for cartel and price manipulation

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has fined HP India and its affiliates about $14,4 million, alleging that the company conspired with resellers to fix prices for ink cartridges, toner and other printing supplies. “HP aimed to outbid other original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and discourage resellers from selling ‘counterfeit’ ink and toner,” he says Ars Technica. hewlett packard

In an order, the CCI said that HP India colluded with five resellers to coordinate their bid prices for government contracts to increase the chances of an HP partner winning. The company was fined 1,3 billion rupees (about $13,1 million). HP was also fined 119,8 million rupees (about $1,2 million) for “cartelizing in the sale and supply of consumables such as toner, cartridges and other consumables used with hardware printing products,” the CCI said in its statement.

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The agency also imposed a fine of 35,2 million rupees (about $365.335) on 21 HP resellers.

In a separate order , the CCI said WhatsApp conversations showed that HP and 16 of its Tier-2 reseller partners were operating “in a collusive agreement” and that the companies were involved in “bid manipulation, such as price fixing and customer allocation during 2017-2020.” HP India played a central role, the regulator said.

The CCI also ordered HP India and its affiliates to “cease and desist from all anti-competitive conduct” and to organize training programs on compliance with competition rules within 60 days.