Marcie Lawrence has joined Little, Brown Books for Young Readers as designer. She is a recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts MFA Design program, and was previously at Wenner Media. In addition, Maggie Edkins has been promoted to assistant designer. Susan Peterson has joined CodeManta as svp, sales. Most recently she was president of Blackwell Book Services, North America, prior to which she was svp of digital business at Baker & Taylor. Author, journalist, and NYC correspondent for National Public Radio Margot Adler died in New York City on July 28. DRAWING DOWN THE MOON was her well-known work […]
Legal
Judge Cote Unconvinced By Aspects of Apple Settlement Proposal
In a teleconference call with lawyers for Apple, the plaintiff states, and the consumer class, Judge Denise Cote “expressed concern” with the proposed settlement before her that would see Apple pay anywhere from nothing (if they win their appeal of Cote’s July 2013 ruling in favor of the Department of Justice) to $450 million (if Apple loses.) Reuters reports Judge Cote found the middle scenario, which would have Apple pay $70 million should the appeals court reverse her finding in part and send it back for further proceedings, “most troubling” and thought it “might be unfair to consumers by undervaluing their claims.” […]
Jesse Ventura Defamation Trial Highlights Editorial & Marketing of AMERICAN SNIPER
Last Friday both sides in the defamation trial brought by former Minnesota governor Jesse Ventura against the estate of Chris Kyle, the Navy SEAL and author of AMERICAN SNIPER. At issue was an account in the book headlined “Punching Out Scruff Face” that described — though not by name — a 2006 bar fight purportedly between Ventura and Kyle, that Ventura believed harmed his reputation and helped boosted sales of AMERICAN SNIPER. Co-author Jim De Felice, William Morrow executive editor Peter Hubbard, and director of media relations Sharyn Rosenblum all testified for the defense, claiming by consensus, according to the […]
Apple to Pay As Much As $450 Million In eBook Settlement
As expected, on Wednesday the full details of the proposed settlement agreement in Apple’s ebook pricing litigation were filed with Judge Denise Cote. (Previously, the terms of the agreement had not been announced.) In a “pragmatic settlement,” the parties agreed to three possible outcomes, which could have Apple paying as much as $450 million. But no payments will be made any time soon, since it hinges on “resolution of Apple’s appeal,” which could be a long time away depending upon how far they are able to pursue it. If Apple ultimately loses their current appeal, they will pay $400 million in […]
FTC Sues Amazon for Knowingly Allowing Children to Incur App Charges without Parental Approval
The Federal Trade Commission filed suit against Amazon in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, ask the court to order refunds of “millions of dollars in unauthorized in-app charges incurred by children” through apps in the Amazon appstore and on devices such as the Kindle Fire. FTC Chairwoman Edith Ramirez said in annoucing the suit, “Amazon’s in-app system allowed children to incur unlimited charges on their parents’ accounts without permission. Even Amazon’s own employees recognized the serious problem its process created. We are seeking refunds for affected parents and a court order to ensure that Amazon […]
Open Road Says Harper Looks to Intimidate Other Authors
On Friday Open Road filed their reply to HarperCollins’ demand for the maximum statutory damages, over $1 million in legal costs, and a permanent injunction following the District Court’s finding that Open Road’s digital edition of Jean Craighead George’s JULIE OF THE WOLVES infringed Harper’s rights. Open Road argues that Harper “overreaches in its attempt to leverage the Court’s narrow ruling concerning a single work into remedies that would be grossly unfair and unwarranted to Open Road, and which would unduly prejudice the rights of many authors.” First and foremost, they object to the request that the court block Open […]