An Italian court has banned the Uber app over unfair competition for traditional taxis.
In a ruling that is subject to appeal, a court in Rome upheld a complaint filed by taxi unions and gave Uber ten days to end the use of its various phone applications across Italy.
It also banned any further promotion or advertising of any Uber apps.
The minicab booking app could face a fine of 10,000 euros for each day it does not comply with the ruling.
Uber said in a statement: “We are shocked by the Italian’s court decision and will appeal.
“Thousands of professional, licensed drivers use the Uber app to make money and provide reliable transportation at the push of a button for Italians.”
The ruling in Italy follows a decision by a court in Milan two years ago to ban the company’s UberPop application also citing unfair competition of the country’s cab drivers.
The UberPop app was deemed under Italian law to encourage the provision of taxi services by unlicensed drivers.
That ruling was upheld in a subsequent court case in Turin.
