The U.S. Justice Department has filed suit against the computer giant Apple and five major publishers for allegedly fixing the prices of electronic books. The lawsuit accuses Apple and the publishers of raising prices for millions of consumers by colluding to eliminate competition in the e-book market. Attorney General Eric Holder unveiled the case on Wednesday.

Eric Holder: “Beginning in the summer of 2009, we allege that executives at the highest levels of the companies included in today’s lawsuits, concerned that e-book sellers had reduced prices, worked together to eliminate competition among stores selling e-books, ultimately increasing prices for consumers. Now, as a result of this alleged conspiracy, we believe that consumers paid millions of dollars more for some of the most popular titles.”