The Cases
Government enforcers are using the antitrust laws to challenge Amazon’s dominance. They have sued the company for squeezing sellers, blocking competition, and driving up prices for shoppers.
The state and D.C. cases could result in penalties, restitution, and orders to stop specific practices. The joint federal-state case, led by the FTC, goes further: It could restructure Amazon.
Case #1
FTC v. Amazon
Federal court, Seattle
Bench trial begins March 29, 2027
The Federal Trade Commission, 18 states, and Puerto Rico sued Amazon in 2023, accusing it of illegally monopolizing online retail and the services sellers depend on, like storage and delivery. Unlike the other cases, which challenge specific anti-competitive practices, this case challenges how Amazon combines its different businesses to maintain its monopoly. That means the court could go beyond ordering Amazon to stop certain practices and require it to break itself up, spinning off businesses whose combination enables it
Case #2
California v. Amazon
San Francisco Superior Court
Trial begins January 19, 2027
California sued Amazon in 2022, alleging Amazon’s agreements and pricing practices suppress lower prices on competing websites, driving up prices across the internet. It's on track to be the first government antitrust case against Amazon to go to trial.
Case #3
Arizona v. Amazon
State court
Jury trial begins June 2027
Arizona sued in 2024, alleging Amazon forces sellers to accept pricing rules that stop them from offering lower prices on other sites.
Case #4
District of Columbia v. Amazon
D.C. Superior Court
Jury trial begins September 2027
D.C. sued in 2021 over similar pricing rules. A judge dismissed the case in 2022, but an appeals court revived it.