CEA Slams DOJ, Obama Administration Over E-Book Lawsuit Against Apple

The Consumer Electronics Association slammed the Justice Department and Obama Administration for the lawsuit filed against Apple and publishers over e-book pricing.

"The decision by the U.S. government to sue Apple and book publishers for alleged antitrust violations over the price of electronic books marks another sad milestone in our government's war on American companies," said CEA President Gary Shapiro. "Apple is an American crown jewel that other nations covet, yet our own government leads an attack on its entry into electronic books." Shapiro paired that lawsuit with the government's denial of the AT&T/T-Mobile deal and the $4 billion breakup fee that cost AT&T to argue that current political leadership is essentially inviting -- he likened the actions to "catnip" -- the European Union and other governments to extract money from "successful American companies." Shapiro switched metaphors and suggested the Obama administration was a reckless driver bent on destruction. "Our nation is heading toward an economic cliff, and the administration is not only putting its full weight on the accelerator, it is removing the airbags of innovation and growth, which are our best chance at safely avoiding economic catastrophe."