“Court-appointed antitrust monitor Michael Bromwich filed a declaration on Monday saying Apple has been very uncooperative compared to his past monitorships, rebuking the company’s actions thus far and denying claims of ‘a broad and amorphous inquisition,'” Mikey Campbell reports for AppleInsider.
“In an 11-page document filed with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, Bromwich, who is tasked with overseeing Apple’s e-book pricing activities as a result of a Department of Justice price-fixing trial, detailed his experience with Apple’s legal team, executives, board members and even the public,” Campbell reports. “Describing the preceding two months, Bromwich offers multiple examples of what he considers to be an unwillingness on Apple’s part to facilitate a smooth operation.”
“Apple has been at odds with Bromwich since the former Justice Department Inspector General’s assignment, saying the monitor is overstepping his bounds by making unreasonable requests while requiring $138,000 for two-weeks’ worth of work,” Campbell reports. “As for the future of the e-book price fixing case, Apple is appealing the ruling and Judge Cote is scheduled to hear oral arguments regarding the injunction stay on Jan. 13, 2014.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: How much did he charge for these 11 pages?
This could have all been avoided if only Denise Cote wasn’t a vacant-eyed pawn.
And, why are these Amazon monopoly strengtheners, er… “remedies,” being applied before the appeals have concluded? What if Apple is found innocent and this idiot has already ransacked his way through the entire company? How much is the information Bromwich seeks to collect from the likes of Tim Cook and Al Gore worth? How secure is this inside information that Bromwich is collecting, under guise of a verdict that very well could be overturned?
In United States v. Microsoft Corp., Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson issued his findings of fact on November 5, 1999. Microsoft immediately appealed the decision. On June 7, 2000, the court ordered a breakup of Microsoft as its “remedy.” Microsoft didn’t proceed to break up the company as ordered as their appeal was ongoing. As a result of appeal, the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Judge Jackson’s rulings against Microsoft. The DOJ announced on September 6, 2001 that it was no longer seeking to break up Microsoft.
So, again, why does Apple have to apply any “remedies,” before the appeals process has concluded? What if dummy Denise’s “findings” are overturned?
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amazing.
Aw Mr. Bromwich got such a hard, hard life.
And no mum to turn to?… Crybaby and snitch and what not.
And very high paid at that.
The $138K he needed to get before Xmas so he could buy Cote’s her gift.
We live in a nation where our U.S. Attorney General said it was okay to sell presidential pardons to criminal fugitives in exchange for donations to the presidential library. Someone should file an ethics complaint against Bromwich with the New York Bar, and the USDOJ should be investigated for racketeering.
investigated by whom? Columbo? Kojak? Della Street?
Deputy Dawg
heh.
How’s if Apple calls it even and allow the gov’t to proceed with this e-book accusation… And allow a ban on samsung smartphones/tablets before that appeal has ended.
That’s a good deal.
#MyStupidGovernment at work.
Why is it that the justice system gets to move swiftly for action when it’s convenient for them? Isn’t it justice for all? If only the dishonorable Koh were to move into action as swiftly as Michael Bribewich.
I think this guy is trying to collect as much stuff as he can so he can write a book after this is over.
Not that lawyers don’t charge a boatload anyway, but I’m sure his “fees” suddenly went way up the day before he went to Apple.
He comes across like a celebrity who is being arrested and decides to pull the “do you know who I am?” card.
This guys is the reason so many people dislike lawyers. What a disgusting individual. If he is incapable of getting the job done, why doesn’t he just quit. And about the profane e-mails he got, I am sure some of the four letter words were beyond his comprehension.
“This is not an ‘unconstitutional’ investigation and we have data from our domestic spying to prove it.” :-p
Bromwich should be locked out until the 90 day period granted to Apple to get their compliance plan set up has arrived.
Bromwich should not be allowed to interview Board members who have nothing to do with iBooks.
Bromwich should be video taped when he interviews anyone.
Apple is right to not allow someone to poke their nose into all corners of their business, interview people who had no iBooks connection, and want to have ex parte meetings with the Judge.
” Gee your Honor, they have some neat shit!’
” Dish it up Brommie, you lapdog you”
From the Article:
“Bromwich, who is tasked with overseeing Apple’s e-book pricing activities as a result of a Department of Justice price-fixing trial, detailed his experience with Apple’s legal team, executives, board members and even the public,” Campbell reports. “Describing the preceding two months, Bromwich offers multiple examples of what he considers to be an unwillingness on Apple’s part to facilitate a smooth operation.”
Apparently, Bromwich is not familiar with the legal term “Appealed.” He also complains about his treatment from “the public.” Mr. Bromwich, until the appeal is settled, there is no reason for Apple to submit to your presence. Until Apple has a significant presence in the book publishing business, there is no price fixing, and the public has every right to disrespect you and your activities. Incidentally, your pricing of your services to Apple looks like price fixing to me. Did her majesty the Judge put your service out for public competitive bid?
… worthy of a higher-level discussion.
No childish name calling or petty insults.
Facts stated. End of story. OK, that last sentence maybe could have been more moderate – without losing its bite. This one comment could be shopped to Apple’s legal team! 😀
This is only the beginning, even if the whole situation gets rectified to Apples satisfaction, they will not stop.
Apple of the ’20s is soon to be the ATT of the ’70s. At that point, their phone division will be required to split from the entertainment division which will be removed from the ‘computing’ branch (whatever that amalgamation of Pad, Pod and Mac will look like).
So much for success…..
Mr. Bromwich is not supposed to start his work until the middle of January. Apple has zero obligation to even talk to him until then. Why does he feel he can act like this? A cozy relationship with the judge, of course!
To quote Mandy Rice-Davies: “he would say that, wouldn’t he?”