“The DOJ’s accusation of collusion against Apple is simply not true. 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.”
Apple says DOJ accusation of collusion is not true
The only argument I can think of for the charges that doesn’t involve the DOJ simply having its head up its ass is that the iBookstore *probably* uses the same tiered pricing model as the App Store. A book can be $0.99, $1.29, $1.99, $2.99, $4.99, $9.99 and other fixed prices, but it can’t be $1.88, $7.12 or $9.60. But this is largely a good thing, since it means developers and publishers don’t *have* to try to localize that price for every country. The prices are (very roughly) the same, in whatever the local currency is.
Personally, I’m still leaning towards the head/ass theory.
There have been emails etc quoted that show that at least some of the publishers wanted to create a united front to get the terms they want, which happen to be the same ones Apple had been using for years with everything else.
But nothing from Apple as an active party to this. And of the DOJ had something why wouldn’t they have leaked it.
That the publishers wanted the type of terms that Apple had been offering and did offer isn’t the same as collusion. Especially since there was no talk of the actual prices in those terms. That came up with the most favored nation bit which the DOJ could make Apple cut. it’s a bit of a moot point so long as the publishers not the stores control the price. They can still set the price the same everywhere if they wish, no clause needed.