Potential Setback for Apple in E-Books Case

In a potential major setback for Apple, a federal judge who will preside over a coming antitrust trial that will determine whether it engaged in a conspiracy to raise prices for e-books said that the government is likely able to prove its case against the computer maker.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, acknowledged that she hadn't reviewed all of the evidence in the case and that no final decision has been made. But she said her preliminary view favors the U.S.'s theory at trial. "So, understanding that this is a tentative view, before I have the benefit of the testimony of the witnesses and further argument from counsel, I believe that the government will be able to show at trial direct evidence that Apple knowingly participated in and facilitated a conspiracy to raise prices of e-books, and that the circumstantial evidence in this case, including the terms of the agreements, will confirm that," the judge said in a lengthy and, otherwise, uneventful hearing. The bench trial, which is expected to last as long as three weeks, begins June 3.