Antitrust lawyer: Apple ebook deals are illegal

Steve Jobs left behind a legal mess for Apple chief executive Tim Cook. Decisions the former CEO made when brokering ebook distribution deals haunt Apple, as a civil price-fixing case moves forward and the specter of a federal antitrust investigation approaches. Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates left Steve Ballmer in similar straights in early 2000. Look what happened to Microsoft since. Apple is alleged to have colluded with major publishers to fix ebook prices, in violation of US antitrust law. There has been little analysis from legal experts on whether or not Apple is actually in danger of criminal complaint. I… [Continue Reading] Continue reading at 'Betanews'

[ Betanews | 2012-03-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
News tagged with: #major publishers #antitrust law

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Amazon Publishing inks deal with Ingram, opens ebook distribution to rivals

Amazon Publishing is continuing to broaden its distribution channels, as the New York-based imprint has formed a partnership with Ingram Content Group that will make the company's ebooks available to competitors such as Apple, Barnes & Noble and Kobo. As you may be aware, there's some uneasy... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-08-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple blasts the DOJ's proposed ebook price settlement

Apple called the DOJ's proposed settlement to the ebook price fixing case 'fundamentally unfair, unlawful, and unprecedented.' Continue reading at The Christian Science Monitor

[ The Christian Science Monitor | 2012-08-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Senator Schumer sides with Apple and publishers in ebook price fixing case

A prominent Senate Democrat sided with Apple this week, and called on the Justice Department to drop its ebook lawsuit against the Cupertino, Calif. company. Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) wrote in an opinion piece that appeared in the Wednesday edition of the Wall Street Journal that a victory... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-07-20 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #justice department #ebook lawsuit #opinion piece #ebooks market


Deal close in EC ebook probe

Five of the six parties under investigation by the European Commission over ebook  prices... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-07-02 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Judge sets trial date for Apple ebook lawsuit

A US judge on Friday set a 2013 trial date for a lawsuit from the US government accusing Apple and book publishers of conspiring to fix the prices of electronic books. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2012-06-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
More news stories like this | News stories tagged with: #book publishers #electronic books


Microsoft, Barnes & Noble teach Apple and Amazon a lesson about educational ebooks

Nobody partners, or negotiates deals, like Microsoft. That's evident from today's stunning agreement with Barnes & Noble, which is sure to turn the ebook market on its head. The two will jointly invest in Newco, temporary name for ebook venture that incorporates B&N's digital and College... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-04-30 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Ex-WSJ Editor Defends Apple's Ebook Strategy

The former publisher of the Wall Street Journal has defended Apple's Ebook Strategy saying it is not only good for Apple, but good for consumers and publishers as well. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-04-25 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Why Apple's eBook Pricing Defense Is Wrong

Apple responded to DOJ antitrust accusations claiming it simply leveled the playing field against Amazon's virtual monopoly of the ebook industry. I disagree. Continue reading at PC World

[ PC World | 2012-04-16 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple denies it conspired to raise ebook prices

Apple Inc. says the accusation that it conspired with major book publishers to raise the price of ebooks is untrue.Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr says that, contrary to allegations in lawsuits by the Justice Department and 15 states, Apple fostered innovation and competition by introducing its... Continue reading at Crains New York

[ Crains New York | 2012-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple denies price-fixing charges on ebooks

The company says it allows publishers to set their own prices. Several antitrust lawsuits have accused former chief Steve Jobs of inflating prices of new releases and bestsellers.Apple Inc., responding for the first time to antitrust charges levied against it and five major book publishers this... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple defends ebook price-fixing by calling Amazon a monopoly

Apple shot back at critics and the Justice Department late Thursday, denying claims that it colluded with publishers to keep the price of ebooks artificially high. Even more interesting? The Cupertino, Calif. company took a veiled shot at Amazon, saying its actions were necessary to break up the... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-04-14 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple says ebook price fixing charges 'simply not true,' Macmillan also responds

Not that we were expecting Apple and Macmillan to simply fess up and say, "you're right, totally tried to circumvent the free market," but both companies have come out swinging pretty hard against the allegations of price fixing. Apple has rejected the charges, calling them "simply not true." A... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-04-13 00:00:00 UTC ]
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With the states suing over ebook price fixing, Apple needs to surrender

Attorneys General in 16 states filed suit against Apple and three publishing companies Wednesday, following a similar suit filed this morning by the US Justice Department. Unlike the federal suit, the states action also looks for monetary compensation in addition to the end of the collusive... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple, ebook publishers accused of price fixing

Apple's Steve Jobs played a key role in a price-fixing plan with five ebook publishers, federal and state officials say in antitrust lawsuits.WASHINGTON — Former Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs was a key player in a conspiracy with five major book publishers to drive up the price of... Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple and four publishers seek EC deal; Penguin does not

Five of the companies under investigation in Europe over ebook pricing have made representations... Continue reading at The Bookseller

[ The Bookseller | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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US sues Apple over ebook 'price fixing'

Apple and publishers Penguin and Macmillan have decided to fight US government charges that they conspired to fix the prices of ebooks, even as three other publishers agreed to a settlement aimed at lowering prices for consumers. Continue reading at Stuff

[ Stuff | 2012-04-12 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple's Steve Jobs conspired on ebook price-fixing, lawsuits say

WASHINGTON -- Former Apple Inc. Chief Executive Steve Jobs and top executives at five major book publishers illegally conspired to raise the prices of ebooks, costing consumers tens of millions of dollars, federal and state officials alleged in antitrust suits filed Wednesday. Continue reading at Los Angeles Times

[ Los Angeles Times | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Justice Department formally charges Apple, big five publishers in ebook price fixing case (update)

The Justice Department has formally decided to sue Apple, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillian, Penguin and Simon & Schuster over alleged ebook price-rigging. Apple and Macmillian have already denied any wrongdoing, saying that the agreements were enhancing competition in an industry... Continue reading at Engadget

[ Engadget | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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DOJ accuses Apple, five publishers of colluding to fix ebook prices

In December 2010 I asked: "Is someone fixing ebook prices?" Google's digital bookstore opened for business, and I started comparing prices only to find them fairly consistent across all retailers. I expected to see huge variances, not pricing consistency, which shouldn't be in a competitive... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-04-11 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Apple, two publishers resist ebook settlement

The Justice Department is nearing a settlement with publishers over allegations of ebook pricing, but finalizing the deal is proving problematic as Apple and two publishers are balking at the terms of the deal. Amazon will be permitted to once again discount ebooks to its customers as a result.... Continue reading at Betanews

[ Betanews | 2012-04-05 00:00:00 UTC ]
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