US court agrees Apple violated antitrust law in e-book entry

Apple says a federal appeals court's conclusion that it violated antitrust law when it entered the electronic books market does nothing to change the fact it did nothing wrong.

Apple Inc. insisted it was on the right side of the law after the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan issued its split decision Tuesday.

By a 2-to-1 vote, a three-judge panel let stand a lower-court's finding. Judge Denise Cote (koht) ruled that Apple conspired with publishers to eliminate Amazon.com's US$9.99 e-book pricing and drive up prices when it entered the market in 2010.

Apple says it is "assessing next steps".

The Justice Department originally sued Apple and five publishers. The publishers settled. A Justice Department lawyer says the government is gratified with the appeals ruling.

- AP