Apple files promised appeal in book-collusion case

Apple is fighting a legal order requiring the company to modify its digital book contracts and submit to oversight by a court-appointed antitrust monitor.

The Cupertino, Calif., company filed its notice of appeal Thursday in New York, following through on a pledge to fight the verdict. A federal court had concluded that Apple Inc. had illegally colluded with five major publishers to fix the prices of electronic books at the expense of consumers. The challenge comes a month after U.S. District Judge Denise Cote finalized her order based on a verdict that she reached in July.

Simon & Schuster Inc., one of the five book publishers affected by the ruling, filed an appeal Friday.

Apple contends that its arrangements with publishers increased competition in a market dominated by Amazon.com Inc.

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