Italy not letting Apple off the hook for illegal warranty policy

The Italian government isn’t messing around when it comes to product warranties. After extracting a hefty fine from Apple late last year for honoring only one year of free product warranty coverage, the state is moving to add additional fines and even force the company to temporarily shut down its operations in the country until it complies, Reuters reports. Italy’s Competition and Market Guarantor Authority (AGCM) is threatening to fine Apple 300,000 euros (about $377,500) for giving one year of warranty service to customers for free, but charging for additional coverage through its AppleCare product. Italy requires all companies offer two years of product coverage for free.