In a decisive legal victory, JD.com has emerged successful in its antitrust lawsuit against Alibaba. The Beijing High People’s Court imposed a hefty fine of 1 billion yuan ($140.68 million) on Alibaba for engaging in exclusionary practices that undermined fair competition.
The court’s verdict pinpointed that Alibaba Group Holding Limited, along with its subsidiaries, Zhejiang Tmall Network Co and Zhejiang Tmall Technology Co, had engaged in “choosing one from two” tactics. This policy coerced brands into exclusive agreements, thereby inflicting significant harm on JD.com.
JD.com, in a restrained response, affirmed the court’s decision through a statement on its WeChat account, emphasizing the ruling’s importance in maintaining a balanced market ecosystem. The company chose not to comment further.
The ruling marks a pivotal moment in China’s enforcement of antitrust laws, reflecting a broader commitment to nurturing a competitive market environment. It follows a precedent set in 2021, when Alibaba faced a record $2.75 billion fine for similar monopolistic behavior.
