German transportation officials are trying to ban ridesharing app Uber - a service they say breaks local laws.
The Associated Press reported that the head of the Berlin Taxi Association successfully argued in front of the city's regional court last week that the limos Uber users can call for a ride are unlawfully picking up extra customers. According to Germany's legislation, Uber vehicles must go back to headquarters after each ride is given. Drivers, instead, are reportedly cruising the avenues of the German city to find more clients.
The court recognized Chairman of the Association Richard Leipold's arguments against Uber this week, and instated an interim injunction against the company. Under the Berlin panel's ruling, Uber is prohibited in the city because its drivers are essentially rental cars, instead of taxis. But the ridesharing service will still be able to operate in Berlin, since Leipold has decided not to enforce the decision, the Financial Times reported. He told the Associated Press that he doesn't have enough money to carry out the interim injunction.
"This isn't a student start-up against a big taxi cartel," Leipold said on Wednesday. "If I'm wearing gym shorts, I don't want to compete against someone wearing hobnailed boots."
A spokesperson from Uber told the Financial Times that the company will "vehemently" appeal the Berlin court's decision.
San Francisco start-up Uber first began operating in Berlin in February of last year. Since then, it has encountered a number of issues in Europe - Uber drivers were recently caught giving passengers rides in Brussels.
"Choice is a beautiful thing," the company wrote in a statement. "Berliners love it. We love it. Big Berlin taxi companies don't. The only thing these companies care for is maintaining the old, blocking the new, preventing more people from having more choice, failing consumers and their own drivers. Legal actions initiated by incumbents such as Leipold only serve vested interests, curbing choice and limiting new economic opportunities."
