DOJ

The spate of lawsuits against entertainment and media companies alleging unfair labor practices with respect to interns paid less than minimum wage has arrived in book publishing: The same law firms that recently filed suit against CBS (among others) brought a new suit against the company’s publishing division Simon & Schuster last Friday in a New York Court, seeking class action status. The named plaintiff is Diana Bruk, currently a viral content manager at Hearst, whose work as an editorial intern at Scribner between September 2009 and May 2010, while she was in college, is at issue in the 10-page […]

While we’re waiting for the Second Circuit of Appeals’ ruling on Apple’s appeal of the verdict finding them guilty of antitrust violations in launching their ebookstore — not expected for months — a related appeal will go before the court next month. Apple is continuing to challenge the appointment of special monitor Michael Bromwich, who oversees Apple’s compliance with the antitrust verdict, calling it illegal and unconstitutional. The WSJ remains squarely in favor of Apple’s efforts, with an extensive report identifying “new reasons for the Second Circuit to sack Mr. Bromwich and end what is a major abuse even by the standards of […]

An extended oral arguments hearing Monday morning at the 2nd Circuit Court of appeals did not immediately make clear how the three-judge panel would rule on Apple’s appeal of 2013’s ebook antitrust trial, but it did show the court would not spare any side thorough questioning — often to entertaining effect. Ted Boutrous, arguing for Apple, spent much of his allotted 20 minutes comparing his client’s “extraordinary case on antitrust law” to that of Leegin, saying the precedent set by the Supreme Court in that case would be ignored if Judge Denise Cote’s 2013 ruling finding Apple guilty is allowed to stand. […]

In a hearing Friday morning Judge Denise Cote approved the settlement agreed upon between Apple, the plaintiff states, and the consumer class. As previously reported, the settlement hinges upon how the 2nd Circuit of Appeals will rule — whenever that happens — on Apple’s appeal of Judge Cote’s July 2013 verdict finding the company guilty of violating antitrust actions. Oral arguments for the appeal are set for December 15. If Apple’s appeal is denied, they will pay $450 million, including administrative and legal costs, to the states and consumer class. If Judge Cote’s ruling is sent back to her by […]

After a period of quiet, the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals has set a December 15 date for oral arguments on Apple’s appeal of Judge Denise Cote’s 2013 ruling in the federal ebook antitrust trial. The settlement reached earlier this year between Apple and the plaintiff states and consumers hinges on how the appeals court eventually rules. Apple could pay as much as $450 million if their appeal is denied, or as little as nothing if the appeal is completely reversed. Judge Cote granted preliminary approval to the settlement on August 1 and scheduled a final fairness hearing for November 21.