(CNN) -- For consumers, the news that the Department of Justice is suing Apple and several publishers, accusing them of price-fixing, boils down to one kitchen-table question: Will this mean my e-books will get cheaper? The short answer? More than likely, yes. But the long-term ramifications of the move remain murkier, with some arguing that prices will ultimately rise because of it. Wednesday's lawsuit centers around the 2010 release of the iPad, when the government alleges Apple colluded with six major publishing houses to raise prices on digital books. At the time, Amazon's Kindle was far and away the dominant device for e-books and Amazon forced publishers to sell most books on the devices for $9.99.
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DOJ lawsuit against Apple will likely lower e-book prices -- at least for now
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Government says Apple conspired with publishers to drive up book prices
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Amazon, which sold books cheaper for the Kindle, says its prices will soon drop
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Some fear settlements will tilt field too far in Amazon's favor
"This a big win for @placeholder owners and we look forward to being allowed to lower prices on more Kindle books," an Amazon spokesman said via e-mail.
But some say @placeholder's lower prices have been the problem all along.