Slashdot Mirror
Justice Department Calls Apple the "Ringmaster" In e-book Price Fixing Case
An anonymous reader writes "Back in April 2012, the U.S. Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple and a number of publishers for allegedly colluding to raise the price of e-books on the iBookstore. As part of its investigation into Apple's actions, the Justice Department collected evidence which it claims demonstrates that Apple was the 'ringmaster' in a price fixing conspiracy. Specifically, the Justice Department claims that Apple wielded its power in the mobile app market to coerce publishers to agree to Apple's terms for iBookstore pricing."
It's worth noting that all of the publishers have settled with DoJ without a fight.
It's worth noting that Apple hasn't. You do realise the publishers may have colluded without Apple's involvement.
One problem is that prices went up 50% literally overnight when Apple got all the publishers to agree to force Amazon and other sellers to charge more.
Two problems there. First where's the evidence that eBook prices went up at all, let alone 50%. People have found individual cases of books that went up, and books that went down. 50% is far too round a number to represent anything other than somebody making up statistics on the spot.
For their part, Apple claims average ebook price went down from $7.97 to $7.34. Can you prove them wrong?
Secondly, you repeat the Justice Department's assertion that Apple orchestrated price fixing. It's an allegation not a fact. You don't knwo any better than I whether it's true or not.