Apple Inc. (AAPL) Receives Temporary Break In E-Books Case

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has received a temporary administrative stay in connection with the appointment of an independent monitor who was to ensure that it complied with antitrust laws. It’s in connection with the company’s loss in the e-book price fixing case last year.

Apple appeals e-book price fixing case

Apple is in the process of appealing its loss in the case. According to Reuters, the 2^nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York granted the stay, although Apple is of course seeking a longer one during the appeals process. The court said a judge panel would hear the company’s motion for a stay as soon as it could, and the government has until Friday to file a motion in opposition of the appeal. The government didn’t oppose Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s request for a stay.

The company was found guilty of conspiring with e-book publishers to raise the prices of e-books several years ago when it entered the business through iTunes.

Apple faces off with Bromwich

Apple has accused Michael Bromwich, the court-appointed monitor, of being too demanding in his attempts to monitor its progress of coming in line with e-book pricing regulations. Bromwich has complained that Apple has kept him from interviewing the company’s top executives and most of its board members. In addition, he’s been charging Apple $1,100 an hour for his services, which the company says is excessively high.

Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) claims that Bromwich is impeding its ability to innovate and create new products. The company also said his actions in attempting to monitor its compliance with e-book pricing regulations were inappropriate.

Last week Apple’s request for a stay on the appointment of Bromwich was denied by Judge Denise Cote, who ruled against Apple in the original e-book price fixing case and appointed Bromwich. Today’s decision overrules her decision last week. She said she didn’t see anything inappropriate in what Bromwich was doing and gave Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) 48 hours to file an appeal with the court which overruled her decision today.