Apple has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn an appellate court decision that found the company conspired with five publishers to increase e-book prices, reports Reuters (http://tinyurl.com/ptvqyv). The Cupertino, California-based company wants the high court to review a June ruling that favored the U.S. Department of Justice, and found the company liable for engaging in a conspiracy that violated federal antitrust laws.
Reuters reports that Apple, in its petition, said the June decision by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York contradicted Supreme Court precedent and would “chill innovation and risk taking.” “The Second Circuit’s decision will harm competition and the national economy,” Apple wrote.
If upheld, the decision would force Apple to pay consumers $450 million under a 2014 settlement with 33 state attorneys general and consumers that was contingent on the company’s civil liability being upheld.
