Apple defends itself in NY e-books trial closings

Apple lawyer asks NY judge to find it did not conspire with publishers to set e-book prices

NEW YORK (AP) -- A lawyer for Apple Inc. has asked a New York judge to take a "fresh and open look" at government claims that the company conspired with publishers to raise e-book industry prices in 2010.

Attorney Orin Snyder presented closing arguments Thursday. He told the federal judge that she would set a "dangerous precedent" if she agreed with Justice Department lawyers that Apple manipulated e-book prices as it entered the market.

The three-week trial stemmed from an antitrust lawsuit the government brought last year against Apple and major publishers. The government has reached settlements with five publishers.

The trial has featured testimony from executives for Apple, publishers and Amazon.com.

U.S. District Judge Denise Cote (KOHT') is expected to decide the civil case later this year.