The Department of Justice defended its suit against Apple and book publishers, saying they colluded to raise e-book prices, the New York Times reports.

The government sued Apple and five publishers and reached settlement with the Hachette Book Group, Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins in an attempt to reduce e-book prices.

But Apple and the remaining publishers, Penguin and Macmillan, refused to settle and will face trial next summer.

The Justice Department defended its actions after 868 comments during a 60-day comment period and dismissed claims that the lawsuits would narrow the field of retailers.

The idea is to reduce prices, feds said.