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Apple: We Didn't Fix E-Book Prices

Publishers in charge of iBookstore prices: firm

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 13, 2012 8:37 AM CDT

(Newser) – The Justice Department's allegations of an e-book pricing conspiracy at Apple are "simply not true," the tech giant says, according to Reuters. "The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon's monopolistic grip on the publishing industry," an Apple rep tells the Wall Street Journal. "Just as we have allowed developers to set prices on the App Store, publishers set prices on the iBookstore." The case appears to be great news for Amazon, analysts say.

Apple says it didn't strike a deal with publishers to hike e-book prices.
Apple says it didn't strike a deal with publishers to hike e-book prices.   (AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Kyle Kurlick)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
OuttaHere
Apr 13, 2012 8:59 PM CDT
So anyone ever hear of the concept of a loss leader? Amazon's model is exactly that. To get the hardware sold they had to price the content lower than the print versions (think paperback here). They knew potential buyers would quickly calculate the savings on the content and buy accordingly so they had to squeeze publishers. With Apple on the scene and the squeeze off, eBook prices would be going up, Amazon knew that customers would do the math and see that the Kindle value proposition was less attractive. They would lose sales of Kindles and that would scupper their eBook income stream.
user99
Apr 13, 2012 3:18 PM CDT
Did you think Apple would just say "Ok, you caught us, our bad."
MDD
Apr 13, 2012 9:06 AM CDT
DOJ just trying to change the subject, Let's get back to the DOJ, ATF & DEA Gun Running!
 

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