US sues Apple, publishers over electronic books

[April 12, 2012]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. government has filed an antitrust lawsuit in New York against Apple Inc. and various major book publishers. It claims the publishers conspired with Apple to raise retail electronic-book prices to limit competition.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in federal court in Manhattan. It said the effort was a response to the success Amazon had in selling e-books for just under $10.

The lawsuit said the alleged conspiracy came as Apple was preparing to launch the iPad. It said the alleged conspiracy called for Apple to be guaranteed a 30 percent commission on each e-book it sold.

Apple did not immediately respond to a comment request.

[Associated Press]

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