France: Issued Competition Authority fine on Rolex for prohibiting its authorised distributors from selling its goods online

On 19 December 2023, the Competition Authority fined Rolex EUR 91.6 million for prohibiting its authorised distributors from selling its watches online. More specifically, Rolex prohibited the sale of its watches by mail and, therefore, via the Internet. The Competition Authority determined the restrictions to be a violation of competition rules, noting that such actions distort competition. The Rolex's justification for the ban, including the need to combat counterfeiting, off-network sales and damage to the image when sold via the internet, was deemed disproportionate.