Apple e-Book Customers to Get Checks in Mail

PHOENIX – On Tuesday, June 21, 2016, Arizonans who purchased e-books will begin receiving checks in the mail or account credits from Apple Inc., after a price-fixing settlement. Arizona consumers should receive approximately $8.6 million of the $400 million nationwide Apple consumer compensation payout. The settlement stems from an antitrust case involving Arizona and 32 other states and territories accusing Apple of conspiring with five of the nation's largest publishers to artificially raise the price of e-books between 2010 and 2012.

In March 2016, the United States Supreme Court denied Apple’s request to review a lower court decision holding Apple liable.

Distribution Process:

  • Customers eligible for account credits should expect to receive an e-mail between June 21 and June 24 indicating that the credits are available in their accounts.  
  • Due to the large number of consumers affected, it will take a few days to fully load account credits, and some consumers may not see credits in their accounts until Friday, June 24, 2016. 
  • The amounts received by e-book purchasers will be based on the number of e-books purchased during the relevant time period.
    • Consumers will receive $6.93 for each New York Times best-selling e-book they purchased.
    • They will receive $1.57 per e-book for all other e-book purchases.
  • Customers who purchased e-books through Sony or Google will receive checks in the mail.
  • Customers who purchased e-books through AmazonAppleBarnes & Noble, or Kobo will automatically receive credits in their accounts (unless they previously requested to receive checks).
  • Credits can be used to purchase anything sold by these retailers, not only e-books.

A Settlement Administrator has set up a website and toll-free phone number for consumers with questions about this distribution.

Please visit www.ebooklawsuits.com or call (866) 686-9333 for more information.

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, please contact the Attorney General’s Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6504, or outside the metro areas at (800) 352-8431. Bilingual consumer protection staff is available to assist. Consumers can also file complaints online by visiting the Attorney General’s website.