Apple's e-book business no longer under Court Scrutiny
Apple was accused of conspiring with five publishers to increase e-book prices by an antitrust monitor. The result of this e-book price-fixing case which has been in the court since two years ended on Friday, according to a judge's ruling.
"The monitor has ably performed a significant public service in a difficult environment," US district court Judge Denise Cote said in a brief ruling.
"The court concludes that the monitor's term will not be extended." The finding that the California-based technology giant led an illegal conspiracy to fix prices of e-books was upheld by the US Court of Appeals but might be headed to the US Supreme Court for review.
Apple was found guilty in July 2013 by the New York federal Judge Cote of a price-fixing conspiracy over the period in late 2009 and early 2010.Apple negotiated contracts with publishers ahead of its iPad launch during this period. Apple agreed to pay some $450 million in compensation in the case, contingent on its appeal.
Apple was sued by the US Justice Department alleging the price-fixing scheme was aimed at ending a discounting effort by Amazon. The move almost instantly raised the prices consumers paid for e-books to $12.99, $14.99 or higher, according to the US complaint.
Apple argued unsuccessfully that it brought fresh competition to an e-book market dominated by online giant Amazon and did not conspire to fix e-book pricing."It is to be hoped that this program will benefit not only the American public, but Apple as well."
