Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) Releases Subpoena to Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN) in Regards to e-book Pricing Lawsuit

The e-book pricing lawsuit is in full swing and according to latest news; Apple Inc.(NASDAQ:AAPL) has subpoenaed Amazon in context with the interviews it conducted with the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to Paid Content, this subpoena was issued in July and now Apple insists that the records of that interview with Amazon.com, Inc.(NASDAQ:AMZN) employees be turned over to them.

The antitrust lawsuit was slapped against Apple and five book publishers in April, alleging that they had manipulated the pricing using artificial means. During that time, books at Amazon were being sold at a narrow margin when compared to their wholesale price. Apparently, publishers were wary of Amazon’s prices and worried that the control of the e-book business would soon pass over to Amazon.

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HarperCollins, Hachette, and Simon & Schuster, three of the publishers have agreed for a settlement against allegations that they had collaborated with Apple in the price fixing conspiracy. But Apple, Macmillan and Penguin (the other two publishers), will defend their case in court in June 2013. Apple has maintained a stance that the settlement offered to publishers is unjust and will do immense damage to Apple.

Now Apple is adamant in searching for information that Amazon had met with the government several times during the investigation and also for a two-day meeting. Amazon has not responded to the subpoena, which has forced Apple to turn to the Southern District of New York, where Judge Denise Cote presides. Cote is overseeing the e-book pricing lawsuit.