The Federal Court of Australia has imposed fines of AUS$3.4m (US$2.67m, 2.04m euro, £1.37m) against four Jurlique companies and its founder Dr Jurgen Klein.

Justice Spender in the Brisbane Court made the orders in proceedings instituted by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission against Jurlique, which manufactures and sells premium skincare products.

The court declared that the four Jurlique companies and Dr Klein engaged in resale price maintenance in the sale of Jurlique products between 1991 and 2003.

Resale price maintenance occurs when suppliers prevent retailers discounting their products and is prohibited under Australian law.

Until late 2003, Dr Klein was the managing director of Jurlique.