Judge Denise Cote hinted Thursday that the U.S Department of Justice may have the evidence it needs to prove that Apple was involved in an elaborate eBook price fixing scheme.
In an unusual move before a trial, a federal judge expressed a tentative view that the U.S. Justice Department will be able to show evidence that Apple Inc engaged in a conspiracy with publishers to increase e-book prices.
According to Reuters, Judge Cote thinks Apple will be exposed as a party to this lingering saga, which has already claimed millions in settlement fees and penalties from many of publishing’s biggest names and alleged co-conspirators.
“I believe that the government will be able to show at trial direct evidence that Apple knowingly participated in and facilitated a conspiracy to raise prices of e-books, and that the circumstantial evidence in this case, including the terms of the agreements, will confirm that,” Cote said.
Orin Snyder, a lawyer for Apple, responded to the claim by saying: “We strongly disagree with the court’s preliminary statements about the case today.”
The trial is scheduled to begin June 3rd.
