NEW YORK (AP) - Publishers who have settled an electronic book pricing dispute with the federal government say they object to penalties the government wants to impose on Apple Inc.
A judge ruled in an antitrust case last month that Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple had joined a conspiracy to drive up the price of e-books. The trial revealed e-book prices rose after Apple signed so-called agency agreements with publishers that took effect in 2010. In such agreements, publishers set prices for each title, rather than retailers.
The publishers submitted papers Wednesday in federal court in New York that challenge the government's proposed remedy against Apple in the case.
The government seeks to ban Apple from entering into agency agreements for five years. The publishers say that penalizes them, not Apple.
The Justice Department did not immediately comment Wednesday.