Judge signals defeat for California in Amazon antitrust battle

The lawsuit, filed in 2022, claims Amazon maintains an unfair grip on online retail by pressuring brands like Levi Strauss, Allergan, and Hanes to ensure their products remain expensive on competing platforms such as Target and Walmart. Bonta argued these tactics prevent rivals from undercutting Amazon’s prices, ultimately harming the consumer. However, during Thursday's hearing, Judge Schulman expressed skepticism regarding the state's reliance on evidence dating back to 2023, suggesting the requested intervention lacked sufficient current justification.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s office described the tentative ruling as disappointing but maintained that the state remains committed to the litigation. The case is now moving toward a full trial scheduled for January, where the state will attempt to prove that Amazon’s business model constitutes illegal price manipulation.