US government sues Apple and publishers over ebook prices

The US government does not care whether you have the largest market capitalization on the stock exchange, but where you have done wrong, you will still be brought to book – or at least an attempt will be made. It seems that Apple as well as other ebook publishers has been sued by Uncle Sam, where the New York district court will oversee a lawsuit that claims said publishers (including Apple) did collude together to fix ebook prices, instead of giving retailers a free rein. Simon & Schuster, Hachette and HarperCollins have already settled their suits today, although Apple and Macmillan have decided not to engage in negotiations, vehemently denying that they were part of such a collusion in order to make more profit off ebooks.

The US Justice Department will look into the method that Apple uses to alter how publishers charged for ebooks on the iPad, at least according to Bloomberg. Not only that, the Justice Department also mentioned that they will announce an “unspecified” antitrust settlement later today. What do you think of the whole shebang? Do you thnk Apple and the rest are guilty?

Edwin Kee
Categories: Apple, Tablets
Tags: Apple Inc, ebook