In this June 11, 2014 file photo, a demonstrator kicks a car, suspected to be a private taxi during a 24 hour taxi strike and protest in Madrid, Spain against unregulated competition from private companies, in particular, Uber. A judge has ordered the precautionary suspension of the ridesharing service Uber in Spain on Tuesday Dec. 9, 2014, saying it represents unfair competition. The suspension had been sought by Madrid's Taxi Association, which is planning a legal case against Uber which allows passengers to hail a ride from a mobile app. The company takes a cut from what the drivers charge. Taxi drivers say such services are unfair as the drivers do not have to fulfill the same requirements or pay tens of thousands of euros (dollars) for training and licences as taxi drivers do. The San Francisco-based company has met with opposition in other European Union countries. (AP Photo/Paul White, File)
A judge on Tuesday ordered the temporary suspension of ridesharing service Uber in Spain, saying it represents unfair competition.
The Madrid mercantile court judge said in a preliminary ruling that Uber drivers lacked proper permits to transport passengers in Spain—but the company responded that it wasn't given an opportunity to argue its case.
The suspension was sought by Madrid's Taxi Association, which is planning legal action against Uber.
Uber spokesman Benjamin Novick called the decision a "highly unusual court commercial proceeding and ruling," adding that the company is considering its legal options and that Uber will obey Spain law.
Uber allows passengers to hail a ride from a mobile app. The company takes a cut from what the drivers charge.
Taxi drivers claim such services are unfair because drivers aren't subject to the same taxi regulations and don't pay tens of thousands of euros (dollars) for training and licenses.
The San Francisco-based company has been met with opposition in several European Union countries.
In this June 11, 2014 file photo, a demonstrator carries a mock coffin with a message reading 'They want to kill us - Uber' during a 24 hour taxi strike and protest in Madrid, Spain against unregulated competition from private companies, in particular, Uber. A judge has ordered the precautionary suspension of the ridesharing service Uber in Spain on Tuesday Dec. 9, 2014, saying it represents unfair competition. The suspension had been sought by Madrid's Taxi Association, which is planning a legal case against Uber which allows passengers to hail a ride from a mobile app. The company takes a cut from what the drivers charge. Taxi drivers say such services are unfair as the drivers do not have to fulfill the same requirements or pay tens of thousands of euros (dollars) for training and licences as taxi drivers do. The San Francisco-based company has met with opposition in other European Union countries. (AP Photo/Paul White, File)
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