Apple may pay $400M in eBook settlement

Lawsuits filed on behalf of digital book buyers sought damages for a price-fixing scheme found to be orchestrated by Apple Inc.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Apple will pay up to $400 million to compensate consumers ensnared in a plot to raise the prices of digital books unless the company overturns a court decision attesting to its pivotal role in the collusion.

The terms of the settlement disclosed in a Wednesday court filing came a month after attorney suing Apple notified U.S. District Judge Denise Cote that an agreement had been reached to avert a trial.

Lawsuits filed on behalf of digital book buyers had been seeking damages of up to $840 million for a price-fixing scheme that Cote ruled had been orchestrated by Apple Inc.

Apple is appealing Cote's decision. The Cupertino, California, company won't have to pay the $400 million settlement if it prevails.

Five major book publishers previously reached settlements totaling $166 million.

UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy:
  • This is a family newspaper, please use a kind and respectful tone.
  • No profanity, hate speech or personal attacks. No off-topic remarks.
  • No disinformation about current events.
  • We will remove any comments — or commenters — that do not follow this commenting policy.
Send a letter to the editor