As 17 more states join class action against book publishers and Apple, new details revealed – paidContent – Laura Hazard Owen

Remember all the confusion surrounding the DoJ business? Even more has been added on.

The states’ class action suit, which was filed the same day as the Department of Justice’s lawsuit, alleges that Apple and book publishers conspired to set e-book prices. Unlike the DOJ, the states seek monetary restitution for consumers. (They have already reached a settlement with Hachette, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins.)

The states’ amended complaint makes public information that was redacted from the version filed in April. (It’s not clear why the information was originally redacted.) Much of the now-public information is duplicated in the Department of Justice filing against Apple and publishers, but some of it is new, including an e-mail from Steve Jobs.

The new information reveals a lot of negotiations and behind-the-scenes work between corporations. Think TV teen soap drama with lots of backstabbing, only with organizations.

I hope something is figured out soon. This lawsuit is becoming a headache to wrap my mind around. Set the ebook prices!