Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Apple Guilty of Antitrust Violations



A District Court Judge has ruled in favor of the US Department of Justice in its antitrust suit against Apple, Inc.  According to the ruling, Apple conspired with publishers to illegally raise the price of ebooks beginning in 2010 when Apple was eager to become an ebook retailer with the launch of the iPad.  Along with Apple, the suit originally named five publishers as well: Penguin, HarperCollins, Hachette, Simon and Schuster, and Macmillan.  All five publishers previously settled out of court, agreeing to reimburse customers $164 million in overcharges for ebooks.  Apple was the only defendant who went to trial with the Department of Justice, and even after this loss, Apple has said that they plan to appeal the decision.  Suits by the Attorneys General of individual States against Apple and the publishers have yet to be decided.

Further coverage of the decision can be found at the following websites:





The full ruling can be read here.


Shelia



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