Settlement totals twice consumers’ losses

SAN FRANCISCO – Hagens Berman attorneys representing a class of e-book purchasers announced today that the Supreme Court denied appeal from Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) in an antitrust suit brought against the company for its role in an alleged e-book price-fixing scheme with five of the nation’s largest publishing companies, bringing a $400 million settlement to e-book purchasers.

With the Supreme Court’s denial to review findings against Apple, consumers will receive an additional $400 million, reaching a total amount of more than $560 million when combined with settlements with the publishing companies – more than twice the amount of losses suffered by the class of e-book purchasers. Hagens Berman litigated the case jointly with the United States Department of Justice and attorneys general from 33 U.S. states and territories.

“We’re incredibly pleased to culminate this case for the millions of consumers who were forced by Apple and the publishing companies to pay inflated prices – skyrocketing up to 50 percent – for e-books,” said Steve W. Berman. “When we began this case in 2012, we knew that the defendants would fight us each step of the way, but with determination, we are proud to say we will be able to bring purchasers more than twice the amount of losses through this settlement.”

According to attorneys, the anticompetitive price-fixing collusion between Apple and the publishers caused the price of e-books to increase 30 to 50 percent to $12.99 or $14.99 from Amazon's $9.99 price.

“Apple was caught red-handed orchestrating this scheme to inflate the prices of e-books, and we believe this case is a true testament to the tangible benefits the law can bring consumers,” Berman added.

The class of consumers alleged that Apple illegally colluded with a group of five publishing companies to manipulate the e-book market by artificially raising the price of e-books, lowering competition and charging consumers higher prices.

In the case’s next steps, attorneys will work to bring the settlement to consumers through a quick process and hope to return losses to purchasers by fall of 2016.

Earlier this year, the Second Circuit rejected a single objector’s claim that the settlement structure that was contingent on Apple’s appeal was not ripe for decision.

Read more about Hagens Berman’s lawsuit against Apple and e-book publishers.

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About Hagens Berman
Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP is a consumer-rights class-action law firm with offices in 10 cities. The firm has been named to the National Law Journal’s Plaintiffs’ Hot List eight times. More about the law firm and its successes can be found at www.hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.

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