Judge Rules Apple Colluded With Publishers to Fix Ebook Prices

Despite many publishers themselves settling with the DOJ over allegations of price fixing ebooks, Apple held firm and recently went to trial. And now the verdict is in: Apple conspired with major publishers to control ebook prices in violation of anti-trust laws. A trial for damages has been ordered. Quoting Reuters: "The decision by U.S. District Judge Denise Cote in Manhattan is a victory for the U.S. government and various states, which the judge said are entitled to injunctive relief. ... Cote said the conspiracy resulted in prices for some e-books rising to $12.99 or $14.99, when Amazon had sold for $9.99. 'The plaintiffs have shown that the publisher defendants conspired with each other to eliminate retail price competition in order to raise e-book prices, and that Apple played a central role in facilitating and executing that conspiracy,' Cote said. 'Without Apple's orchestration of this conspiracy, it would not have succeeded as it did in the spring of 2010,' she added." Update: 07/10 16:36 GMT by U L : The ruling is now available (160 page PDF).

Comments

Re:Abusing their monopoly power

[Ensign_Expendable]

OK. Apple is evil. Happy?

Re:Ah! No, that is not the case.

[oGMo]

No, a company cannot be evil. Each and every one of the members of the company can, but the company cannot. A company doesn't exist without people

No, a person cannot be evil. Each and every one of the cells in the body can be evil, but the person cannot. A person doesn't exist without cells.