The Competition Commission of India announced penalties totaling 1.4 billion rupees against HP India and its channel partners for engaging in anticompetitive practices involving computers, ink cartridges, toner, and related supplies.
The CCI determined that HP India coordinated with approximately five resellers to manipulate bid pricing for government contracts, increasing the likelihood that HP-affiliated partners would win tenders. According to the regulator’s findings, resellers requested assistance in restricting participation from competitors in local bids, dividing available contracts among themselves, limiting manufacturer authorization forms to designated partners, and arranging cover bids to suppress competing offers. HP India was assessed a fine of 1.3 billion rupees for these practices, while 21 affiliated resellers faced combined penalties of 35.2 million rupees.
In a separate enforcement action, the CCI identified collusive arrangements between HP India and 16 Tier-2 reseller partners during 2017–2020, with WhatsApp communications documenting bid rigging, price fixing, and customer allocation schemes. The company received an additional 119.8 million rupees in fines for cartelization specifically related to toner and cartridge sales and supply.
According to regulatory filings, HP India asserted that elevated printing supply costs compelled resellers to threaten switching to counterfeit products, positioning the manufacturer as responding to partner pressure rather than initiating arrangements. HP disputed characterization of its role as the “kingpin” of the collusive scheme. The CCI ordered all parties to cease anticompetitive conduct and complete competition compliance training within 60 days. HP has not issued a public response to the penalties.
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