E-book price fixing $15.175M class action settlement

Harper Collins, Penguin and other publishers agreed to a $15.175 million e-book settlement resolving claims of an illegal e-book price-fixing conspiracy.

The settlement benefits Canadian consumers who purchased at least 12 e-books from Google, Amazon, Sony, Jobo or iTunes between April 1, 2010, and March 10, 2017.

According to the class action lawsuit, Harper Collins, Macmillan, Penguin, Simon & Schuster and Apple conspired together to raise and fix the price of e-books across several platforms. Consumers in the case argue the alleged scheme forced them to pay a much higher price for e-books.

Harper Collins, Macmillan, Penguin and Simon & Schuster are publishers of both traditional, hard copy books and e-books.

The e-book publishers haven’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $15.175 million to resolve the e-book price-fixing class action lawsuit.

Under the terms of the e-book settlement, class members who purchased 12 or more e-books during the class period are eligible for payment. Payments will vary depending on the number of e-books purchased and the amount paid by each class member.

Class members who purchased e-books using an iTunes or Kobo account that remains active and in use will automatically receive their share of the settlement fund as a credit to their accounts. Class members who made purchases using a currently inactive iTunes or Kobo account will automatically receive their portion of the settlement in an electronic payment sent to their valid email address.

Class members who cannot be reached at a valid email address or who made e-book purchases using a Google, Amazon or Sony account must file a claim to receive their share of the settlement.

The exclusion deadline for the settlement has already passed. 

The settlement was granted final approval on June 19, 2023.

No action is required for class members who purchased e-books using an iTunes or Kobo account. To receive an e-book settlement payment, class members who purchased e-books must submit a valid claim form by Aug. 29, 2024.

Who’s Eligible

Canadian consumers who purchased at least 12 e-books from Google, Amazon, Sony, Jobo or iTunes between April 1, 2010, and March 10, 2017

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/29/2024

Case Name

Pontbriand v. Apple Inc., et al., Case No. 500-06-000595-120, in the Canada Superior Court for Quebec Province, Montreal District

Adams v. Apple Inc., et al., Case No. CV-16-24156-CP, in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice

Final Hearing

08/29/2024

Settlement Website

eBooksCanadianSettlement.ca

Claims Administrator

eBooks Canadian Price Fixing Class Action Settlement Claims Administrator
c/o Epiq Class Action Services Canada Inc.
P.O. Box 507 STN B
Ottawa ON K1P 5P6
info@eBooksCanadianSettlement.ca
833-398-1863

Class Counsel

Charlotte K B Harman
BRANCH MACMASTER LLP

Normand Painchaud
SLYVESTRE PAINCHAUD SENCRL

Health Ruble Peterson
STROSBERG SASSO SUTTS LLP

Andrew Morganti
BERGER MONTAGUE (CANADA) PC

Defense Counsel

Catherine Martin
MCCARTHY TETRAULT LLP

Paul Erik Veel
LENCZNER SLAGHT ROYCE SMITH GRIFFIN LLP