Germany court bans Uber services citing anti-competitive practices

Uber Technologies Inc. has lost another ruling in Germany, after a regional court in Frankfurt ruled Thursday that the company may not process orders for car-hire companies through its app.

The ruling stated the company’s business model which brokers trips with private hire cars using Uber’s app is anti-competitive and that the car-hire companies used by Uber in Germany hadn’t been adequately controlled. Customers will still be able to order taxis through Uber’s independent contractors.

“We will assess the court’s ruling and determine next steps to ensure our services in Germany continue. Working with licensed PHV operators and their professional drivers, we are committed to being a true partner to German cities for the long term,” Tobias Froehlich, head of communications at Uber in Germany, said in a statement.