Connecticut residents will start receiving refund checks or credits this week for e-books purchased between April 1, 2010 to May 21, 2012 – the result of a lawsuit filed by Connecticut and 32 other states over price fixing allegations.
The lawsuit was filed against Apple, Inc. as well as book publishers Hachette, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Macmillan, and Penguin. A $166 million settlement with the publishers was reached earlier this year and has been approved by United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
“I encourage Connecticut consumers who filed claims or are otherwise eligible for credits through these settlements to check their email or mail and their retailer accounts to take advantage of the refunds that will begin arriving this week,” said Attorney General George Jepsen in a press release.
The amount a consumer receives will be determined on the number of eligible books purchased from April 1, 2010 to May 21, 2012. Those expecting a refund should check their email including spam folders for claim information. Some customers may receive in check in the mail. Amazon is applying credits automatically to customer e-book accounts.
Apple opted out of the settlement and a three week trial commenced last June where Apple was found by U.S. District Court Judge Denise Cote to have been complicit in the price fixing conspiracy. Apple is appealing the case and a second trial to determine damages has been set for this summer.
“At the upcoming damages trial, Connecticut – along with Texas and New York – will be leading the effort on behalf of our partner states to obtain substantial additional compensation for consumers as well as civil penalties for the state,” Jepsen said.
For more information, visit www.ebookagsettlements.com.
