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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).
So I guess now all those people who said that Apple bundling their browser with their OS is okay (because, unlike MS, they've not been found guilty of abusing their monopoly) are now going to reverse their stance and admit that Apple is evil too, huh?
The cow says "Moo." The dog says "Woof." The Timothy says "Thanks, valued customer. We appreciate your input."
Why is it the government's business what prices individuals freely choose to set for their products? Do buyers have a right to buy their products at a certain price? Who is being more "greedy" - the seller who asks a certain price, or the buyer who demands one via government force?
Ignoring the various ad hominems, all that's left is - "Apple specifically worked with publishers to raise prices and force those publishers" - so which is it, did Apple voluntarily "work with" publishers to set prices, or did they "force" publishers? And if it's "force", by what means did they enforce it? Did they imprison publishers who did not accept their prices? If not, then what does this word "force" mean, exactly?
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
Hands off, you socialist regulators. If you want lower e-book prices build your own giant company, Then buy or crush enough of the competition to gain an effective hegemony and then don't squeeze the customers. Feel free. Just stop trying to inject things like fairness into our God-given marketplace.