I think this will be the first time ever that a company goes to trial over anticompetition allegations when said company does not only not have a monopoly, but is competing against a company that does.
I really don't like wearing tinfoil hats but this just reeks of lobbying by Amazon.
EDIT: IMO Apple does have a well-thought out defense. They say they had no idea the publishers were talking to each other in addition to Apple and that the MFN clause didn't mean Amazon couldn't continue with wholesale pricing. It was the publisher's idea to do away with it as an option for Amazon.
If Apple is to be found guilty the DoJ might need a smoking gun somewhere.
Comments
This is what the DoJ says might constitute anti-competitive practices in violation of the anti-trust provisions in the Sherman Act.
http://www.atg.wa.gov/uploadedFiles/Home/Safeguarding_Consumers/Antitrust_and_Unfair_Trade_Practices/Guide_to_Antitrust_Laws/Primer for Procurement Personnel.pdf
EDIT: IMO Apple does have a well-thought out defense. They say they had no idea the publishers were talking to each other in addition to Apple and that the MFN clause didn't mean Amazon couldn't continue with wholesale pricing. It was the publisher's idea to do away with it as an option for Amazon.
If Apple is to be found guilty the DoJ might need a smoking gun somewhere.