Apple ordered to modify contract with publishers following e-book row

Tech giant Apple has been reportedly ordered by a US judge to make changes to its contracts with publishers in a bid to prevent any e-book price fixing, of which, the company was held guilty in July.

Judge Denise Cote has also ordered an appointment of an external compliance monitor to review Apple's antitrust policies.

According to news.com.au, Cote has ordered the tech giant to make amendments to its contracts to ensure it does not repeat the kind of price fixing that resulted when it colluded with publishers in 2010.

The Justice Department said that it was pleased with the order adding that consumers will benefit from lower e-book prices.

Meanwhile, Apple spokesman Tom Neumayr said that the company will appeal the July decision and insisted that the company did not conspire to fix e-book price

It was ruled in July that Apple conspired with book publishers to fix the e-book prices thereby eliminating the retail price competition.