Ebook-buying consumers in 54 states and territories are set to receive $ 69 million as the result of a settlement between the states and HarperCollins, Hachette and Simon & Schuster. If the settlement is approved, the three publishers, who are also settling with the Department of Justice in the federal antitrust suit, will pay a total of $ 69 million to consumers who bought agency-priced ebooks between April 1, 2010 and May 21, 2012.
The states accuse Apple of colluding with publishers to set ebook prices. Apple and the other two publishers in the case — Macmillan and Penguin — are not settling.
“This action sends a strong message that this sort of anticompetitive behavior will not be accepted,” said Connecticut Attorney General George Jepsen, who led the states’ investigation into ebook pricing along with the state of Texas. “Through our ongoing litigation, we hope to provide additional restitution to consumers. Additionally, I’m especially proud of the exemplary bipartisan cooperation on both the state and federal level on this matter, which involved 54 states and jurisdictions working together on behalf of consumers across the country.”
Connecticut Attorney General’s press release
