After allegations that Apple and traditional publishers colluded to raise e-book prices, Apple and two global publishers aren't eager to settle the case with antitrust authorities.
Three of the five largest publishers in the world, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins and Hachette Book Group, have expressed interest in a settlement, while Apple and publishers Pearson and Macmillan have stated they aren't inclined to settle, according to the Wall Street Journal, which credited an unnamed source.
Likely the biggest reason is that a settlement would mean making all publisher contracts with Apple null and void. While Apple isn't settling, it likely will if the U.S. Justice Department decides to proceed with an antitrust suit.
The settlement would mean lower prices on e-books for consumers, which now cost upwards of $12.99 per download. Publishers aren't happy because it means that Amazon could discount their e-books rather than use the publishers' own agency model pricing.
This would also hurt Apple because it signed contracts with these publishers to allow the publishing houses to set their own prices in return for some exclusivity and a 30 percent share of profits.That it hurt competitor Amazon was just icing on the cake.