Apple asks US Supreme Court to toss ruling upholding e-book antitrust verdict

Apple has formally asked the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower appeals court ruling from June, which upheld a judgment that Apple violated antitrust laws in its 2010 e-book dealings with publishers.

Backing the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals would "chill innovation and risktaking," and even "harm competition and the national economy," Apple claimed in its petition, seen by Reuters. The company further suggested that the 2nd Circuit broke with precedent set by the Supreme Court.

Word that Apple was aiming to take the case to the highest levels emerged in mid-September, when the company filed for a 30-day extension on the deadline to submit a Supreme Court challenge.

In July 2013, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote sided with Justice Department and found that Apple conspired with publishers to artificially inflate e-book prices, based on evidence like emails from former CEO Steve Jobs. Although Amazon's then-standard $10 pricetag was allegedly the main target, Apple's tactics — legal or illegal — forced standard prices up several dollars across the industry.

Should the Supreme Court support the 2nd Circuit, Apple will owe $450 million to states and consumers as part of a 2014 settlement agreement. At the least, however, the company has already managed to free itself from a court-appointed antitrust monitor.