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INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Hoosiers who purchased electronic books (E-books) from April 1, 2010 to May 21, 2012 should now be receiving account credits or checks totaling approximately $8.6 million, as a result of the successful prosecution of a price-fixing case against Apple, Inc. Credits range from $1.56 to $6.93. Apple paid $400 million in nationwide consumer compensation after the United States Supreme Court denied Apple’s request to review the decision of a lower court finding Apple had violated the antitrust laws. “Indiana and its partner states worked diligently to refund consumers negatively impacted by this price-fixing scheme,†Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller said. “Attorneys general will continue to fight on behalf of the public to ensure this type of anti-consumer collusion is deterred in the future.†Indiana joined 33 states in investigating and prosecuting Apple for its participation in the conspiracy to artificially inflate E-book prices. In June 2013, the states, along with the United States Department of Justice, tried the case against Apple. In July 2013, the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York ruled that Apple conspired with the following five major U.S. Publishers: Penguin Random House, Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC, Hachette Book Group, Inc., HarperCollins Publishers LLC and Simon & Schuster, Inc. In June 2015, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed that ruling. And in March 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Apple’s request to review the Second Circuit’s decision. Under a contingent settlement agreement between the states and Apple, the Supreme Court’s decision triggered Apple’s obligation to pay the maximum consumer compensation amount of $400 million. All five of the conspiring publishers settled prior to trial, paying a total of approximately $166 million in nationwide consumer compensation. Most of that money was distributed to consumers in March 2014. The distribution that began this week consists of the $400 million Apple payment and additional funds remaining from the publisher settlements. The $566 million total nationwide compensation to consumers is more than twice the estimated amount of actual damages. Indiana consumers account for approximately 2 percent of E-book purchasers nationwide, and thus are expected to receive approximately $8.6 million from this distribution, in addition to the $2.9 million already paid to Hoosiers. The amounts received by E-book purchasers will be based on the number of E-books purchased between April 1, 2010 and May 21, 2012. For each E-book that was a New York Times bestseller, consumers will receive $6.93. For all other E-books, the payment will be $1.57. Distribution process for E-book purchasers Distribution of the consumer payments began this week. Customers who purchased E-books through Sony or Google will receive checks in the mail. Customers who purchased E-books through Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, or Kobo will automatically receive credits in their accounts (unless they previously requested to receive checks). Customers receiving account credits should expect to receive an email this week or shortly thereafter, indicating that the credits are available in their accounts. Credits can be used to purchase anything sold by these retailers, not only E-books. The Settlement Administrator has set up a website and toll-free phone number for consumers with questions about this distribution. Please visit www.ebooklawsuits.com or call (866) 686-9333 for more information. For consumers with questions about this distribution, please visit www.ebooklawsuits.com or call (866) 686-9333 for more information. Zoeller thanked Deputy Attorney General Amanda Lee and former Deputy Attorneys General Luminita Nodit and Jeremy Comeau for their work on this case. |
AG Zoeller: Indiana E-book purchasers to receive $8.6 million from Apple price-fixing victory
Adopt A Pet
Jabba is a very handsome male chocolate Lab. He’s just over a year old. He has lived with children, dogs, a cat, & a guinea pig in his previous home & did well! He had free run of his home with no accidents. Jabba’s adoption fee is $100 and includes his neuter, microchip, vaccines, and heartworm test. Call the Vanderburgh Humane Society in Evansville at (812) 426-2563 or visit www.vhslifesaver.org for adoption details!
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State Sen. Vaneta Becker to Serve on Roads and Transportation Study Committee
 STATEHOUSE (June 23, 2016) — State Sen. Vaneta Becker (R-Evansville) will serve on the Interim Study Committee on Roads and Transportation during the summer and fall months to help prepare for the 2017 session of the General Assembly. She will also serve on the following study commissions and council:
- Commission on Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises
- Indiana Commission for Women
- Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities Interagency Coordinating Council
“When the Indiana General Assembly is not in session, legislators have an opportunity to examine state issues in depth,†Becker said. “In the coming months, we will hear testimony from experts and citizens as we discuss ways to keep our roadways safe and ensure the Bureau of Motor Vehicles is best serving Hoosiers.â€
When Indiana’s part-time legislature is not in session, lawmakers serve on interim study committees that meet to review the state’s top issues, as identified by the General Assembly during the prior legislative session.
Study committee topics are assigned by the bipartisan Legislative Council, comprised of 16 voting members — eight from the Senate and eight from the House of Representatives.
To view interim committee agendas and stream hearings online, visit www.in.gov/iga. More information about topics that will be examined can be found here.
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THURSDAYS “READERS FORUM”
WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
“IS IT TRUE†will be posted on this coming Friday.
Todays READERS POLL question is: Do you feel that Mayor Winnecke will save Mesker Amphitheater from the wreaking ball?
Please take time and read our newest feature articles entitled “HOT JOBS†and “LOCAL SPORTS†posted in our sections.
If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us City-County Observer@live.com.
Copyright 2015 City County Observer. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistribute
LINK TO GEORGE MESKER MUSIC TRUST LEGAL DOCUMENTS
Attached below are the legal documents of the George Music Trust legal documents.  Please see question 4 in paragraph 4 on page 3 dated November  2, 1973 entitled Report of Trustee.
It looks like the Board Of Trustees improved the ability of the Mesker Trust to enhance Mesker Park Amphitheater. Â Its also interesting that the Mesker Park had in the excess of $350,000 valued on a cost basis back in 1973.
THIS IS THE LINK TO THE GEORGE MESKER MUSIC TRUST
FOOTNOTE: Â There are 13 papers in this exhibit.
Megan Devine New Ellis Paddock Analyst
HENDERSON, Ky. (June 20, 2016) — Megan Devine, one of racing’s emerging stars as an analyst, will be the paddock commentator for Ellis Park’s 30-date meet that runs July 2-Sept. 5.
Devine, a 2014 honors graduate of the Equine Industry Program in the University of Louisville’s College of Business, will provide pre-race selections and conduct post-race interviews to be aired on racetrack monitors and as part of Ellis’ simulcasting signal, in- cluding through online wagering platforms. She also will conduct Saturday morning pub- lic handicapping shows with track announcer Jimmy McNerney.
“All the signs are in place for a gangbuster meet, judging from the outstanding response of horsemen and jockeys to our enhanced purses,†said racing secretary Dan Bork. “El- lis Park prides itself of being fan and bettor-friendly, and we wanted to add an analyst who knows not only handicapping but horses. Megan was an obvious choice with her equine and broadcasting experience, as well as her unparalleled enthusiasm. We are as excited as she is to see everything she winds up doing to not only help the handi- cappers but to promote Ellis Park and our Kentucky horses and horsemen.â€
“It’s going to be more than a paddock-analyst show – not just 20 minutes to post, give my picks and go back in my little hole,†said Devine, who in addition to her bachelor’s degree in business administration has minors in marketing and communications. “I’d like to interact with the track more and the fans, get people excited about racing and the horses that are there. I’m a big proponent of social media, so I’m going to be pushing that. We have so many great horses there, as well as trainers and jockeys, and now with the purse increases, that will just get even better. So I’d like to involve them and do a lot of interviews that way.â€
Devine also works for NBC Sports assisting the field producers for the network’s racing broadcasts, a position she started in college. She works for the TVG racing network dur- ing Keeneland and was paddock analyst for Turfway Park’s Spiral Day card.
“I’m so lucky to be working with these horses and trainers,†she said. “I’m very proud I’ve had those opportunities, that I’m not somebody coming from totally the outside. I live and breathe horse racing. I consider myself to be part of it, and I really like working hard for that. I respect everybody in the business and everybody who is a fan. I always try hard and put a smile on my face. I love what I do.â€
While horse racing has become her passion, Devine grew up grooming, exercising, training and showing hunter-jumpers on her native Long Island. She galloped thorough- breds at Blackwood Stables in Versailles, Ky., to learn up close “what goes into making race horses tick,†calling it “definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.â€
Such knowledge of horses remains a hallmark of her analyst work, blended with tradi- tional handicapping and pouring over horses’ form.
“I do a combination of both,†said the former captain of the University of Louisville’s equestrian team. “I certainly pick up on things that happen in the paddock, things that people need to know that I see. But then you back it up with the homework you’ve done.
“Being in Louisville, you can’t not be involved in horse racing, with the community around you, Churchill and Keeneland and the sales. I started working for NBC and TVG and got to know the players first-hand.â€
Devine was voted 2014 Miss University of Louisville in the Miss America qualifying competition, her first in a beauty pageant. “I believe people should constantly challenge themselves and get outside their comfort zone, and that was way outside my comfort zone,†she said with a laugh. “It actually was a fund-raiser for my sorority. I ended up winning and did not know that after that you had to go on to Miss Kentucky, and if you won that you went on to Miss America. I have a lot of respect for the women who do that. I’m glad I retired after my two pageants, but it was a great learning experience.â€
Follow Devine at MissMeganDevine.com, Twitter @MissMeganDevine and facebook.-
com/MegHartDevine. Devine also is involved with Fashion at the Races, which pro- motes horse racing and fashion internationally.
For more information on Ellis Park’s 2016 race meet, contact Dan Bork at dan.bork@ellisparkracing.com or dbork@bellsouth.net.
Beware Of Bogus Vacation Packages, Pause Before Posting Travel Plans On Social Media
Beware Of Bogus Vacation Packages, Pause Before Posting Travel Plans On Social Media
Before jet-setting off to your summer vacation spot this year, avoid common travel mistakes that may put you at risk for fraud or invite criminals to your doorstep.
Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller’s Office offers the following tips:
When booking a trip
- Be wary if you are contacted about winning a “free†vacation. A legitimate company won’t ask you to pay fees for a prize.
- Before booking a trip with a third-party agency, research the company to make sure it is reputable. Ask agencies for recent references and read customer reviews online. Check for complaints about the business with the Office of the Indiana Attorney General by calling 800-382-5516, and your local Better Business Bureau.
- Research and obtain quotes from multiple agencies to make sure you are getting honest pricing.
- Review contracts carefully, including information about refund, cancelation policies, and whether your deposit will be applied to the final cost.
- Avoid paying by cash or check. Credit cards offer the best protection in case you need to dispute a charge. For more information on how to dispute a charge click here.
- Confirm all arrangements yourself. Ask the company for the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the airlines, car rental companies, and hotels you’ll be using so you can verify the information.
Before you leave
- Avoid posting about your upcoming trip on social media, especially when you are leaving, and how long you will be gone. By posting details on social media about leaving town, you’ve just allowed a burglar to schedule the best time to break into your home.
- Place travel alerts on your credit cards, particularly if you are traveling abroad, by calling your bank and letting them know your destination.
- Call the airline and/or lodging companies ahead of time to confirm your reservations.
During your trip
- Closely monitor your bank statements for any unusual activity while traveling, including duplicate charges by vacation vendors.
- While traveling, keep tabs on your Boarding Pass, hotel room key and other documents or items that may contain personal information. Boarding passes and hotel room keys contain personal information that criminals could use to steal your identity, like your name, address, destination and more.
- Refrain from posting pictures of your airline boarding documents, which hold important personal information that can be decoded.
- Shred any unneeded items containing personal information when you get home.
If you are targeted by a vacation scam or fall victim to identity theft, file a complaint with the Attorney General’s Office by visiting www.IndianaConsumer.com or calling 1-800-382-5516.More information about common travel scams can be found here.