US: Economists tell Apple eBooks judge she’s wrong

Two economists have filed briefs with the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in defense of Apple as the company appeals an earlier verdict that found it guilty of conspiring to fix eBooks prices, say reports.

Economists Bradford Cornell, from CalTech, and Janusz Ordover, from New York University, have filed an amici curiae brief with the appeals court and claims that Judge Denise Cote, who ruled against Apple, failed to consider the economics in the agreements made between Apple and the eBooks publishers.

As summarized by reports, the brief also says most-favored nation clauses and price caps, which are part of the agreements made between Apple and the publishers that are in question, can actually facilitate market entry and boost competition; the court also erred when it found that eBook price hikes were equated to competitive harm.

Whether the brief will make a difference in the appeals court’s ruling is uncertain.

Apple appealed Judge Cote’s ruling last month. The US Department of Justice, which initiated litigation against Apple following an investigation, is expected to file its brief in May.

Full Content: CNN

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