HP fined 1.4 billion rupees for “cartelization” of ink cartridges, toner, PCs
Summary
The Indian government fined HP India and some of its resellers about 1.4 billion rupees (around $14.4 million) for working together to fix prices and limit competition in selling computers, ink cartridges, and toner. The Competition Commission of India found that HP and its partners arranged bids and restricted resellers to win government contracts unfairly.Key Facts
- HP India was fined approximately 1.3 billion rupees ($13.1 million) for coordinating bid prices with five resellers on government computer contracts.
- HP India was fined 119.8 million rupees ($1.2 million) for cartelizing sales of ink cartridges, toner, and related printing supplies.
- 21 HP resellers were fined 35.2 million rupees (about $365,000) for their role in the price-fixing scheme.
- WhatsApp messages showed HP and 16 Tier-2 resellers coordinated activities like bid rigging and price fixing from 2017 to 2020.
- HP claimed it was forced to support reseller arrangements because high printing supply prices pushed resellers toward counterfeit products.
- The Competition Commission ordered HP and its partners to stop anti-competitive behavior and to hold training on competition rules within 60 days.
- HP has not made a public statement about the fines.
- The case highlights the broader issue of high ink and toner prices, which lead some users and resellers to consider cheaper alternatives.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
