Apple’s Chances on an E-Book Ruling Appeal Are Lousy, Say Legal Scholars

Apple has vowed to appeal a federal judge’s ruling that it colluded with five publishers to raise the retail price of e-books and break Amazon’s choke hold on the nascent market. And the company thinks its chances are pretty good. But legal scholars aren’t so sure.

Those who’ve read U.S. District Judge Denise Cote’s decision say its extensive factual findings and careful application of law will make it difficult to fight. According to Pam Samuelson, the Richard M. Sherman Distinguished Professor of Law and Information at the University of California, Berkeley, Apple’s task on appeal is a daunting one.