Three more universities have recently settled a price-fixing lawsuit for a total of $132 million. The lawsuit alleged that the universities colluded to artificially inflate the prices of textbooks, causing students to pay higher prices for their course materials. The settlement is part of a larger ongoing investigation into price-fixing in the textbook industry.
The three universities involved in the settlement are well-known institutions with large student populations. They have agreed to pay a combined total of $132 million to settle the lawsuit, which will be used to provide refunds to students who were affected by the price-fixing scheme.
This settlement is just the latest development in a long-running investigation into price-fixing in the textbook industry. Several other universities have already settled similar lawsuits, with total settlements reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
The investigation has revealed a widespread pattern of price-fixing in the textbook industry, with publishers and universities colluding to keep prices artificially high. This has had a significant impact on students, who are already burdened with the high cost of tuition and other expenses associated with attending college.
The settlement with these three universities is a step in the right direction towards holding those responsible for price-fixing in the textbook industry accountable. It sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated and that those who engage in price-fixing schemes will be held responsible for their actions.
In the meantime, students can take steps to mitigate the impact of high textbook prices by shopping around for the best deals, buying used or digital versions of textbooks, and exploring rental options. By being savvy consumers, students can help combat price-fixing in the textbook industry and keep more money in their pockets.