Quote:
Originally Posted by avantman42
The settlement with the publishers involved more than just a fine, including DOJ oversight. I'd expect any settlement with Apple to be similar. For example, from this article at Digital Book World regarding the settlement with Macmillan: |
Indeed.
More, when the DOJ was explaining the settlement terms last fall they talked of restoring the competitive environment that existed before collusion.
Quote:
the government explained that the terms of the proposed consent decree are designed to accomplish three things:
(1) end the current collusion;
(2) restore competition eliminated by that collusion;
and
(3) ensure compliance.
|
http://traderegulation.blogspot.com/...o-critics.html
Apple only got into ebooks because under the price fix they wouldn't have to compete on price. They might choose to throw a tantrum after the fact and close down iBooks instead of competing fairly, under constant oversight.
Worse, the feds might ask them to get out of ebooks altogether, either through a spinoff or sale.
In the worst case, since there appears to be evidence that Apple used its appstore market power to force Random House to join the conspiracy, the DOJ could extend the "remedies" to iTunes and/or the appstore itself.
Antitrust is a broad-reaching tool and once a company is targetted by the feds things get very bad very fast. Apple just might be egotistical enough not to have taken notice of the Microsoft lynching and if that is the case they may be in for some bitter times ahead.