E-book antitrust monitor Michael Bromwich says that his relationship with Apple has “significantly improved” since Apple was ordered to hire him to monitor their compliance with antitrust requirements stemming from the e-books antitrust case. The Wall Street Journal reports the comment is from Bromwich’s first report to US District Judge Denise Cote.
Bromwich’s report, via MacRumors:
After the Second Circuit panel issued its decision in early February, we took steps to reestablish contact and to attempt to “reset” our relationship with Apple, as this Court had directed during the January 13, 2014 proceedings and in its January 16, 2014 opinion. Those steps prompted constructive responses from Apple. As more fully described in this Report, the relationship between Apple and the monitoring team has significantly improved over the past six weeks and has become more focused on achieving the goal of enhancing Apple’s Antitrust Compliance Program pursuant to the Final Judgment.
Bromwich notes a shift in tone in the relationship with Apple, which he says is largely due to the new in-house contact that Apple has assigned to work with himself and his team. The new contact has aided Bromwich and his team in obtaining more information, and is more committed to resolving disputes that the previous contact.
Bromwich did note that the information was largely about Apple “generally,” and that more would be required.
In the early days of the antitrust monitoring, Apple requested the removal of Bromwich, complaining of his exorbitant fees, while Bromwich complained of Apple’s blocking interviews, and interference with his investigation. The request to remove Bromwich was not granted. However, Judge Cote did place some restrictions on Bromwich’s monitorship.
