Apple E-Book Price-Fixing Class Action Settlement

Apple Inc. has reached a class action settlement over allegations it conspired with the five top publishing companies in the United States (Hachette Book Group Inc., HarperCollins Publishers LLC, Macmillan, Penguin Group (USA) Inc. and Simon & Schuster Inc.) to fix and raise the retail prices of e-books. If you purchased one or more e-books, you could be eligible for payment from the Apple class action settlement.

State Attorneys General from 33 states filed an antitrust lawsuit against Apple for its alleged conspiracy with the book publishers. Following a trial held in June 2013, a federal court determined Apple violated antitrust laws. Apple has appealed the ruling, and its appeal is currently pending before the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Apple denies the allegations but agreed to settle the e-book price-fixing class action lawsuit to avoid the time, expense and uncertainty associated with ongoing litigation. The Apple e-book class action settlement was preliminarily approved on August 1.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members of the Apple class action settlement include anyone who purchased one or more e-books published by Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, Penguin or Simon & Schuster between April 1, 2010 and May 21, 2012. You must have been a U.S. resident at the time of purchase.

Potential Award

At this time, the potential award Class Members can expect from the Apple settlement is unknown. Apple has appealed the District Court’s ruling, and the class action settlement has not yet received final approval.

Proof of Purchase

None required, unless you purchased one or more e-books from retailers other than Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Google, Kobo or Sony.

Claim Form

Claim Form Deadline

10/31/2014

If you purchased e-books through Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo or Sony, you do not need to file a Claim Form to receive benefits from the Apple class action settlement. Your eligible e-book purchases will automatically be included and you will receive an account credit. If you would like to receive a check instead of an account credit, you must submit your request by Oct. 31, 2014.

If you bought e-books from Google or any other retailer not listed above, you must submit a Claim Form.

If you have received a credit or check from prior e-book price-fixing settlements, you do not need to do anything to receive payment from the Apple e-book settlement.

Case Name

State of Texas, et al. v. Penguin Group (USA) Inc., et al., Case No. 12-cv-3394 and In re: Electronic Books Antitrust Litigation, Case No. 11-md-2293, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Final Hearing

11/21/2014

UPDATE: On Nov. 21, 2014, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote granted final approval to the Apple e-book class action settlement.

UPDATE 2: On June 21, 2016 the Settlement Administrator toll free number was updated with the following information: Credits will be emailed between June 21st and June 23rd.  Postcard checks will be mailed June 23rd.  Top Class Actions will continue to provide updates as we learn more.  Keep checking back and let us know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

Settlement Website

www.EbookLawsuits.com

Claims Administrator

Apple E-Books Antitrust Litigation Exclusions
P.O. Box 1851
Faribault, MN 55021-1899
1-866-686-9333
info@EbookLawsuits.com

Class Counsel

HAGENS BERMAN SOBOL SHAPIRO LLP

COHEN MILSTEIN SELLERS & TOLL PLLC

Defense Counsel

N/A