Apple parts ways with external antitrust monitor, for now...
Just days after Judge Denise Cote ruled that Apple couldn't get rid of antitrust monitor Michael Bromwich, Retuers reports that a federal appeals court has granted Apple a temporary reprieve from its court-appointed monitorship.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York granted Apple an "administrative stay" of the court order appointing the monitor, Michael Bromwich, while the company seeks permission for a longer stay during its appeal.
In a brief order, the 2nd Circuit said a three-judge panel would hear Apple's motion for a stay pending appeal as soon as possible. It gave the government until January 24 to file opposition papers. The government did not oppose the request for an administrative stay.
In short, Apple is hoping that they can put off supervision from Bromwich until a decision regarding Apple's appeal of the original ruling is reached.
If you recall, Apple and Bromwich didn't exactly get off to a good start, with Apple levying complaints about Bromwich's hourly rate and his interest in securing interviews with top Apple executives and board members who have no involvement in the e-book case or antitrust matters at large. The DOJ, meanwhile, accused Apple of engaging in "character assassination."
