Apple Responds to DOJ E-Book Suit

Two days after the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Apple and some of its e-book publishing partners, the Cupertino-based technology company finally responded.

In a short statement, Apple dismissed the DOJ's claim that Apple colluded with publishers to control the cost of e-books.

"The DOJ’s accusation of collusion against Apple is simply not true," Apple said in the statement. "The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon’s monopolistic grip on the publishing industry. Since then customers have benefited from eBooks that are more interactive and engaging. Just as we’ve allowed developers to set prices on the App Store, publishers set prices on the iBookstore."

Wednesday the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in a New York district court against Apple and four of its publishing partners for allegedly working together to make control the price of e-books in the iBookstore.

The average cost of an e-book on an Apple device right now costs between $9.99 and $12.99.

Publishers Simon & Schuster, Lagardre SCA's Hachette Book Group and News Corp.'s HarperCollins were all looking to settle the suit while Apple reportedly was preparing to fight the suit in court.

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