(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today issued the following statement on the decision of a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York who ruled in favor of the state in finding that Apple Inc. conspired to raise the retail price of electronic books (e-books):
“We are carefully reviewing the Judge’s decision, but we are very pleased with the outcome. This ruling confirms that companies that harm customers by conspiring rather than competing will be held accountable. We will continue to seek out and challenge anticompetitive business practices that harm Ohio consumers, and we will work to ensure a fair marketplace.”
Attorney General DeWine and 32 other states previously settled with five publishers for price-fixing and collusion in the e-book market. An estimated $4.77 million will be distributed to Ohio consumers as a result of these settlements.
The trial in the multistate antitrust action against Apple ended in June, and a trial for damages will follow.
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