E-book publishers to dish out millions

(WPRI) -- If you've ever bought an e-book. you may be getting some money back.

Three of the largest publishers in the United States have agreed to pay out more than $69 million to settle claims they illegally conspired to fix e-book prices.

The lawsuit alleges that Harper Collins, Simon and Schuster, and Hachette Book Group conspired to increase retail e-book prices and eliminate competition by setting the prices.

"The major publishing houses colluded together and forced online retailers to charge the same price for the same book no matter what retailer was selling it," said Amy Kempe, Spokesperson for the Rhode Island Attorney General's Office.

Therefore, according to the lawsuit, consumers could never get a deal on an online book since retailers couldn't offer some of the most popular books at discounted prices.

"This lawsuit and settlement stems from a two-year investigation by several state attorneys general, and it revealed that consumers paid millions of dollars on e-books that they shouldn't have," added Kempe.

The publishers have also agreed to change the way they price books in the future.