Apple is ‘its own worst enemy,’ says antitrust monitor

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Apple can't ditch its ebook compliance monitor.
Is Apple finally free of Michael Bromwich?
Photo: Apple

In what is likely to be his final assessment to U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, controversial antitrust monitor Michael Bromwich admitted that Apple is doing well when it comes to antirust compliance — but decided to take a few parting shots at the company anyway.

“Apple has been its own worst enemy,” Bromwich said. “[Its] lack of cooperation has cast an unnecessary shadow over meaningful progress in developing a comprehensive and effective antitrust compliance program.”

Despite the fact that its compliance is “substantially stronger” than it was previously, that is!

For those who haven’t been keeping track, Apple was ordered to take on Michael Bromwich in October 2013. This was after Apple was found to have colluded with five book publishers between 2009-10 to raise e-book prices in a way that was deemed to have hurt competitors.

Bromwich almost immediately got on the wrong side of Apple, infamously handing in an “unprecedented” legal bill of $138,432 for his first two weeks’ work, and later charging Apple to “review relevant media articles” — which you and I would call reading the newspaper. His bill for Apple was last reported to be in the region of $3 million.

Apple has been trying to get rid of him virtually since day one, although every attempt has proven unsuccessful. It last tried at the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals back in May, only to be rejected — though the judge admitted that Apple’s allegations against Bromwich “give pause.”

In what will be his final report unless Judge Cote extends his two-year appointment, Bromwich said that for the first time Apple has created a set of antitrust procedures, introduced training on the subject, and generally improved engagement among senior executives.

If he really is gone for good, keep your ears open today. That distant sound you hear could be champagne corks popping in Cupertino.

Source: Reuters

 

 

 

 

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