Lettuce

spheric said:

sbdude said:

 Imagine if Apple geo-fenced people who created their Apple Account in Alaska so that if they traveled to Texas they wouldn't be able to see half of their music. The US would regulate them to stop that behavior (and rightly so). That is what this is about, it's just countries in the EU rather than states in the US.

That might be the most ridiculous comparison I've ever read. Comparing states within a single country to various countries within an economic union is an oversimplification of the nuanced national laws each country in the EU may have. In the US, interstate commerce is regulated by the Federal Government; there is one single framework. The States do not have the ability to regulate purchases made outside of their respective jurisdictions. While the EU may provide for a common currency, and the fabulous gifts Margrethe Vestager bestows upon business, each EU member still has their own laws and regulations to comply. There's a reason Apple has it's European headquarters in Ireland, an EU member: the laws are more favorable. The EU would rather you ignore that basic fact.

Errrr…does the concept of a "Common Market" ring a bell? 

It's kind of central to the whole idea of the European Union. 

https://european-union.europa.eu/priorities-and-actions/actions-topic/single-market_en

I also rather enjoy how you single out Apple's Ireland HQ — in complete ignorance of how that backfired, spectacularly, to the tune of some $14 billion, because the Irish regulations were found to be in violation of the EU law governing exactly the the unified regulation you claim does not exist. 

Brilliantly done — if satire. 

If not: Wow.  

strongy said:

cropr said:

The title is misleading:  Apple must not pay the amount to the EU, but to the Irish government.     The court has decided that the reduced tax rate  must be considered as illegal government aid to a private company.  This illegal aid must be reimbursed to Ireland.    

Ireland is on apple's side they said as much, i bet you the all the EU wanted was get its hand on all that money at least they don't get any of it.

freeassociate2 said:

No worries. The EU will continue to screw itself. Taxing its way out of stalled growth and the strain of maintaining the Euro on partner countries will make it implode. Bet they’ll have fun with Putin when their actions help get the Orange Turd elected again.