eBook

Apple’s ebook damages trial tentatively scheduled for May 2014

Cody Lee ∙ August 15, 2013

US District Court Judge Denise Cote sent out an order on Tuesday, made public last night, calling for all parties involved in Apple's e-book case to prepare for a damages trial set for May 2014. Apple could wind up owing hundreds of millions of dollars in damages.

Back in June, Judge Cote found the Cupertino company guilty of conspiring with 5 major book publishers to raise the price of ebooks. At the time of the ruling, the court hadn't set dates for any of the follow-up hearings. But yesterday's order helps fill in the blanks...

Apple’s request to suspend e-book ruling denied

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated April 18, 2016

Today's a big day for Apple as the company faces some major legal showdowns. First, the United States International Trade Commission handed down its final ruling on the long-running complaint against Samsung, ordering an import ban on infringing Samsung smartphones and tablets, which will take effect at the end of the 60-day Presidential review period.

It's a major win for Apple in its long-standing dispute against Samsung. However, the company is also waging another major battle, this one concerning the U.S. government's e-book price fixing allegations.

Apple's agency business model - where publishers get to price their iBooks themselves, with Apple keeping its standard 30 percent cut - has unfortunatelly suffered a major setback as its request to suspend Judge Cote’s ruling in e-book case has been denied...

DoJ again accuses Apple of conspiring with publishers

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

In another twist to the e-book case involving Apple and five major book publishers, the United States Department of Justice (DoJ) on Friday said Apple and publishers have “banded together once again," arguing strict regulation is necessary. Apple of course argued a stay. The government may be attempting to gain leverage here by accusing (again) Apple of conspiring with publishers ahead of today's decision on punishment in the e-book antitrust case...

Publishers file objection to DoJ’s e-book settlement proposal on Apple’s behalf

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

The Wall Street Journal is reporting this evening that the five book publishers who settled with the US government in the e-book antitrust case have filed an objection with the court on Apple's behalf.

In the filing, the companies argue that the Department of Justice's settlement proposal for Apple, which it submitted last week, would violate their settlement agreements they had before the trial began...

Apple calls DoJ e-books settlement proposal ‘draconian’ and ‘punitive’

Cody Lee ∙ August 2, 2013

Earlier today, the Department of Justice filed new court documents, offering Apple a settlement for its e-book price fixing case. The iPad-maker was found guilty last month of conspiring with 5 major book publishers to raise e-book prices.

In the filing, the DoJ essentially asked that Apple completely restructure its e-book business model. And unsurprisingly, it filed its own brief this afternoon, calling the proposal a "draconian and punitive intrusion into Apple's business..."

Apple could have to pay nearly $500 million in ebook case

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

According to a new report, Apple could have to pay half a billion in damages in its ebook pricing case. That amount is based on the settlements the book publishers, named in the case, have already paid.

For those who haven't been keeping up with the ordeal, federal judge Denise Cote found Apple guilty earlier this month, of colluding with five publishers to fix ebook prices at the launch of its iBookstore...

Apple could face triple damages in ebook verdict

Ed Sutherland ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Although Apple said Wednesday it would appeal its loss in the Department of Justice's ebook pricing conspiracy case, the consensus among legal eagles is: good luck, but bring your check book. In her ruling yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote described the iBooks maker as the ringleader in a conspiracy to undercut Amazon's choke hold on the market for electronic books.

Apple's loss yesterday means the company faces triple damages. Despite Cote's wishes to assess damages soon, that phase could be delayed for months more as Apple asks an appeals court to overturn the ruling. But reversing the judge is likely an uphill battle as Apple seeks to do some PR damage control...

Apple found guilty of orchestrating e-book pricing conspiracy

Ed Sutherland ∙ July 10, 2013

A court Wednesday found Apple had conspired to increase the prices of e-books, setting a separate trial for damages.

In a 159-page decision, U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote wrote that "Apple played a central role" in the conspiracy, which the company flatly denied.

The government has charged Apple with working with five publishers together to undercut Amazon's control of the market. In response to the verdict, some watchers opined that the government playing so openly into the hand of a monopolist like Amazon may reduce competition...

Judge says court will likely find Apple guilty in e-book price fixing case

Cody Lee ∙ May 24, 2013

By now, most of you have likely heard that Apple will be going to trial with the U.S. Justice Department next month. The iPad-maker is set to defend itself against charges that it conspired with book publishers to raise e-book prices.

According to U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, it doesn't look good. In a rather unusual pretrial move, the presiding Judge offered up her tentative view on the case. And she thinks it's likely that the court will find Apple guilty...

Penguin settles for $75 million with DoJ in e-book price fixing suit

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated January 26, 2016

Penguin, one of the five named publishers in the Apple e-book price fixing suit, has reached a comprehensive agreement with the United States State Attorneys General and private class plaintiffs to pay a cool $75 million in consumer damages, in addition to costs and fees related to resolving all antitrust claims relating to the e-book price fixing suit...

DoJ says Steve Jobs email proves Apple’s guilt in e-book scandal

Cody Lee ∙ Updated April 14, 2018

Things are really starting to heat up between Apple and the US Department of Justice over this e-book price fixing scandal. The DoJ filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple last year for allegedly conspiring with major book publishers to raise e-book prices.

And with the trial set to kick off in a few weeks, there's beginning to be a lot of activity between the two. Yesterday, a DoJ filing popped up that called Apple out for facilitating the price fixing. And today, a potentially damning email from Steve Jobs has surfaced...

Bought an iBook? You could be eligible for a credit amid $65M price fixing settlement

Christian Zibreg ∙ Updated May 20, 2016

If you bought Walter Isaacson's official Steve Jobs biography, titles from the New York Times bestseller list or other iBooks from Apple (or e-books from other retailers) between April 1, 2010 and May 21, 2012, you may be eligible for your share of the $65 million settlement in the e-book price fixing scandal. Amazon and Apple started emailing customers that the settlement has been reached between the State Attorneys General and book publishers Hachette, HarperCollins and Simon & Schuster.

Though Apple has not been sued in this case, the company is "assisting in providing this notice as a service to its customers". Companies will compensate eligible customers from $0.30 to $1.32 per e-book as the named publishers already paid $69 million into a settlement fund...