Talk is cheap.

The next step is to take the case to CJEU in Kirschberg. After all, we're talking about European law here. It transcends both national and corporate law.

Very true!

And if two parties negotiate a contract that is later ruled illegal, who is to be held accountable? One would assume that a government that is part of the EU would be expected to understand EU law better than would a foreign company.

Maybe dig into some details about the case before we can proceed.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-2923_en.htm

It seems EU considered it to be illegal for some time
This selective tax treatment of Apple in Ireland is illegal under EU state aid rules, because it gives Apple a significant advantage over other businesses that are subject to the same national taxation rules. The Commission can order recovery of illegal state aid for a ten-year period preceding the Commission's first request for information in 2013. Ireland must now recover the unpaid taxes in Ireland from Apple for the years 2003 to 2014 of up to €13 billion, plus interest.

//
FYI, we're talking about a company of 3 people, one of whom is domiciled in Ireland.

Very true!

And if two parties negotiate a contract that is later ruled illegal, who is to be held accountable? One would assume that a government that is part of the EU would be expected to understand EU law better than would a foreign company.

Maybe dig into some details about the case before we can proceed.
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-2923_en.htm

It seems EU considered it to be illegal for some time
This selective tax treatment of Apple in Ireland is illegal under EU state aid rules, because it gives Apple a significant advantage over other businesses that are subject to the same national taxation rules. The Commission can order recovery of illegal state aid for a ten-year period preceding the Commission's first request for information in 2013. Ireland must now recover the unpaid taxes in Ireland from Apple for the years 2003 to 2014 of up to €13 billion, plus interest.

//
FYI, we're talking about a company of 3 people, one of whom is domiciled in Ireland.

FYI, Apple has 6,000 people in Cork and has/had planned to add 1,000 more.

I know that , that is a different company.  Nice try.

Cork != 70, Sir John Rogerson's Quay

http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB100014240 ... 2697448774

2 hrs isn't long. My Jaybirds last 8 hrs.

Paris prosecutors probe Apple over 'planned obsolescence'

Planned obsolescence is a widely criticised commercial practice in which manufacturers build in the expiry of their products so that consumers will be forced to replace them. 
It is decried by consumer groups as being unethical and is suspected of being particularly prevalent in the electronics industry, which produces mountains of unrecyclable waste each year.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2018/0 ... in-france/

Paris prosecutors probe Apple over 'planned obsolescence'

Planned obsolescence is a widely criticised commercial practice in which manufacturers build in the expiry of their products so that consumers will be forced to replace them. 
It is decried by consumer groups as being unethical and is suspected of being particularly prevalent in the electronics industry, which produces mountains of unrecyclable waste each year.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2018/0 ... in-france/

I like it. I get a new model of Philips electric toothbrush and air floss every 2 yrs - 2 months (they must have gotten something wrong).

Paris prosecutors probe Apple over 'planned obsolescence'

Planned obsolescence is a widely criticised commercial practice in which manufacturers build in the expiry of their products so that consumers will be forced to replace them. 
It is decried by consumer groups as being unethical and is suspected of being particularly prevalent in the electronics industry, which produces mountains of unrecyclable waste each year.

https://www.rte.ie/news/business/2018/0 ... in-france/

I like it. I get a new model of Philips electric toothbrush and air floss every 2 yrs - 2 months (they must have gotten something wrong).