Apple is challenging an EU antitrust fine worth $2 billion in the EU court

BRUSSELS, May 22 (Reuters) – Apple has challenged in Europe’s second highest court a 1.84 billion euro ($2 billion) fine imposed by EU antitrust authorities for hampering Spotify and other streaming competitors through restrictions in the App Store – according to a lawsuit.

Apple has already announced it will appeal after the European Commission imposed a fine in March. It was the first-ever fine for violating EU antitrust rules and the third-largest fine imposed on a company for anti-competitive behavior.

A ruling by the Court based in Luxembourg may take several years, while an appeal against its judgment to the Court of Justice of the European Union, the highest court in Europe, may extend the proceedings by several years.

($1 = 0.9228 euros) (Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)