Apple can’t block Attac’s protests at its France retail stores

The High Court of Paris has denied Apple’s request for an injunction that would have blocked Attac from protesting at the company’s retail stores across France, reports MacRumors. The activist group has been protesting what it perceives as Apple’s tax evasion in Europe.

The order says the mere presence of protesters at Apple’s stores in France, without violence, vandalism, or customers being blocked from entering the premises, isn’t enough to justify limiting the group’s rights to freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly protected by human rights laws in Europe.  

The court added that Attac acted in accordance with the European Union’s Statutes of the Association, and defined the protests as a matter of public interest. Apple has been ordered to pay 2,000 euros to cover the group’s legal fees.

In January an Apple spokesman said that while the company respects the group’s right to expression, its recent actions have “put the security of our customers and employees at risk.” The Cupertino, California-based company sought 3,000 euros (approximately $3,600) from Attac and a court order barring the group from staging further protests in its stores. Obviously, that court thing didn’t go as Apple wished.