The Supreme Court has denied an appeal by Apple to hear its side in the e-book pricing fixing case.
In 2014, a federal appeals court ordered Apple to pay consumers $450 million as part of its settlement with the U.S. Justice Department. The court had determined that the Cupertino-based tech giant had conspired with book publishers in its agency pricing model. The model allowed publishers to set the prices of e-books.
Apple appealed the decision hoping the highest court would hear its case. “This sort of market innovation and entry often requires the very type of vertical contracting and conduct that the Second Court’s decision would condemn as a per se Sherman Act violation,” read the filing. “This Court’s review of this question is therefore essential, and a short extension of time within which Apple may file its petition is warranted.”
The case goes back to 2012, when the DOJ accused Apple and the big five publishing houses of conspiring against Amazon’s $9.99 price point for new e-books. (Via The New York Times).