US: eBook price-fixing continues to haunt Apple

Half a year after a judge found Apple guilty of conspiring to fix the price of eBooks, reports say the tech company is still feeling the harsh effects of such a verdict.

States and consumers are reportedly seeking triple damages of $840 million from Apple for its role on the collusion; state attorneys general and eBooks consumers have reportedly filed with US District Judge Denise Cote to seek the claims.

Judge Cote was the judge who presided over the high-profile case, ultimately finding Apple guilty of the eBooks conspiracy and ordering a third-party monitor to watch over the company’s compliance with antitrust law.

That monitor has been the source of legal controversy for the company as it fights to remove him over allegations the monitor overstepped his boundaries and interfered with Apple operations.

As the case regarding the monitor continues, states are now seeking millions in damages for the price-fixing because the US has “conclusively proven” the collusion occurred.

Apple was found guilty after being sued by the US Department of Justice, but the DOJ did not seek monetary damages in the case.

Apple is also in the process of appealing Judge Cote’s trial judgment.

Full Content: Bloomberg

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