Here's how you can find out if you're included in Apple's e-book settlement
It’s been a heck of a long time in the making (we’re talking years here, folks), but at long last, Apple was told to begin coughing up for its $450 million e-book settlement. As such, that means it’s now time for book-readers everywhere to check whether they’re entitled to a share of the cash. Here’s how you can find out.
Show me the money!
First of all, to bring yourself up to date with the situation, I’d encourage you to read our article, “The final chapter in Apple’s e-book price-fixing saga is over.”
Apple’s e-book settlement indeed means you – yes, you! – could be entitled to a small refund on titles purchase in a qualifying time frame. Don’t get too excited, because we’re looking at under $7 per book, but the news will nevertheless be welcome to anyone who feels shortchanged as a result of Apple’s price-fixing scandal.
As AppleInsider notes, folks based in the United States who purchased an e-book from a major publisher between April 2010 and May 2012 should receive a small refund (of up to $6.54 per title) as a result of the settlement. The publishers are Hachette Book Group, Inc.; HarperCollins Publishers LLC; Macmillan; Penguin Group Inc.; and Simon & Schuster, Inc. The article adds that Apple will pay $400 million directly to e-book customers, and that the remaining cash will be used to cover legal fees.
However, the amount you receive will depend on the book itself, too. If your title was a New York Times bestseller, you’ll get between $6.05 and $6.54 per title; if, on the other hand, your book was a non-bestseller, you’ll be looking at a less impressive $1.39 to $1.50 per title.
The article adds: “To ensure you receive the settlement funds, make sure your profile with the appropriate bookseller is up-to-date with your current email address and mailing address.”
Are you set to receive some cash back?