This wasn't mentioned, but I'm sure HC was given the right to terminate the contract, considering the other terms in this deal. If they ever found that they were losing money from the deal with Apple (because they couldn't sell books elsewhere at prices they wanted) they can pull from Apple. So HC had absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain by going forward with the deal.
This negotiation was too easy for Apple, and HC was just attempting to haggle. I doubt they expected Apple to cave on much of anything.
This negotiation was too easy for Apple, and HC was just attempting to haggle. I doubt they expected Apple to cave on much of anything.