If you purchased eBooks in Canada between April1, 2010 and March 10, 2017, you may be eligible for a payment from this class action.

What is this class action about?

Class action lawsuits were commenced in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec (“Actions”) against the defendants Apple Inc., Apple Canada Inc. (together, “Apple”) and Hachette Book Group Canada Ltd, Hachette Book Group Inc., HarperCollins Canada Limited, HarperCollins Publishers LLC, Macmillan Publishers, Inc., Penguin Group (USA) LLC (now Penguin Random House LLC), Penguin Canada Books, Inc. (now Penguin Random House Canada Limited), and Simon & Schuster Canada, a division of CBS Canada Holdings Co. (the “Publishers”) alleging they conspired to fix, maintain, increase or control the price of eBooks sold by them in Canada, contrary to Part VI of the Competition Act, the common law and the Civil Code of Quebec (the “Alleged Conspiracy”).

The Actions allege that, because of the Alleged Conspiracy, the price of eBooks sold in Canada between April 1, 2010, and March 10, 2017, was artificially high, and seek reimbursement of the alleged overcharges.

A settlement agreement has been reached with Apple (the “Proposed Settlement”) that will conclude the Actions if it is approved by the Courts. Settlement includes a payment of $12,000,000 CAD (the “Settlement Proceeds”) by Apple.

The hearing in Ontario was completed on January 13, 2023. The judge reserved his decision and will deliver written reasons in the following weeks.

The date for the Quebec hearing will be set once the Ontario Court has rendered its decision. Please check our website for further information.

Summary of Your Legal Rights and Options

Opt out of the settlement

If you do NOT want to participate in the Proposed Settlement, you MUST exclude yourself by completing and sending an Opt-Out Request Form to the Claims Administrator by no later than November 11, 2022

Click here for more information.

Do Nothing

If the Proposed Settlement is approved and you do nothing, you are automatically included in the Settlement Class (if you qualify) and you will be legally bound by all orders and judgments of the Courts.

Submit a claim

If you want to participate in the Actions and benefit from this Proposed Settlement if approved, you do not need to do anything at this time.

If the Approval Courts approve the Proposed Settlement, more information will be provided on this website about how to submit a claim.

Important Updates

The Ontario hearing was completed on January 13, 2023. The judge will release written reasons for decision in due course. The Quebec hearing will be scheduled after the Ontario decision has been received. Updated information will appear on this website once received.

The Distribution Protocol that will govern the distribution of the settlement funds to Settlement Class Members and for their benefit if the settlement is approved, and can be reviewed here. It supplements and overrides some of the provisions in the settlement agreement.

A $12 million settlement has been reached with Apple (the “Proposed Settlement”) concerning the price of eBooks sold in Canada between April 1, 2010, and March 10, 2017. The Proposed Settlement must be approved by the Ontario and Quebec Courts (the “Approval Courts”) to become effective.

Date of Settlement Approval Hearing

The hearing in Ontario was completed on January 13, 2023. The judge reserved his decision and will deliver written reasons in the following weeks.

The date for the Quebec hearing will be set once the Ontario Court has rendered its decision. Please check our website for further information.

Purpose of Settlement Approval Hearing

At the hearings, the Approval Courts will determine whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and in the best interests of the Settlement Class. At the same time, Class Counsel will seek approval of their contingency agreements with the Plaintiffs/Petitioners and a 25% legal fee to be deducted from the Settlement Proceeds with other court-approved costs.