Judge: Apple no longer needs anti-trust monitoring

If you buy e-books, you may recall that Apple was found in violation of anti-trust rules by conspiring with publishers to fix digital book prices.

Now a federal judge has agreed with a Justice Department recommendation to end anti-trust compliance monitoring of Apple, according to Reuters.

The monitor, Michael Bromwich, was appointed by Judge Denise Cole in 2013 to a two-year term, after Cole found Apple and five publishers were colluding on pricing, in order to outcompete Amazon and other e-book rivals. Bromwich’s term ends this week, and Justice Department officials did not suggest an extension.

The Department’s recommendation was not clear cut, though. While Apple has committed to complying with most of the court-ordered restrictions, the company has repeatedly tried to undermine Bromwich, but the acrimonious relationship was not a deciding factor in the Department’s decision.

Apple would not comment on Bromwich directly, but reiterated its intention to comply with anti-trust rules.

Apple’s appeal of Cote’s decision was rejected by a New York-based federal appeals court this June. The company is weighing whether to appeal to the Supreme Court. Thirty-one states, Puerto Rico and consumers have related legal claims pending against Apple for the e-book anti-trust violations, which could cost the company $450 million.