Five of the largest US publishers objected to tough new restrictions sought by the US government against Apple for illegally conspiring to raise e-book prices.
In a motion filed on Wednesday in a US district court in Manhattan, the publishers said a proposed final order in the case would effectively prevent Apple from entering agreements that limit its ability to discount books.
The publishers said provisions proposed by the US Justice Department would instead punish the publishers, which had already reached settlements with the federal government and dozens of states, paying $166 million (Rs 1,010 crore) to benefit consumers.
"Despite achieving their stated goal of returning price competition, plaintiffs now seek to improperly impose additional, unwarranted restrictions on the settling defendants, thereby depriving each publisher of the benefit of its bargain with plaintiffs," the publishers wrote.
The motion came ahead of a Friday hearing on whether the court should adopt remedies proposed by the Justice Department and 33 US states and territories, after a ruling last month by US District Judge Denise Cote that Apple conspired with the publishers.
The Justice Department accused Apple of conspiring to undercut Amazon.com Inc's e-book dominance.
