There’s little wonder why George Orwell’s novel “1984″ is seeing a resurgence in sales. More than half of Americans polled in a survey released Thursday said they agreed with the statement “We are really in the era of Big Brother.” The survey from the University of Southern California was conducted last year, before recent revelations of large-scale, secret government surveillance programs

E-book pricing has spurred several lawsuits. (Credit: Jonathan Skillings/CNET) Penguin has agreed to pay $75 million to settle e-book pricing lawsuits filed by many states and private class plaintiffs, bringing an end to the long-running complaints in the U.S. The settlement would resolve claims filed by 33 state attorneys general against Penguin, as well as class-action lawsuits filed by consumers who alleged the company’s behavior violated unfair competition laws and caused consumers to overpay for e-books.

E-book pricing has spurred several lawsuits. (Credit: Jonathan Skillings/CNET) Penguin has agreed to pay $75 million to settle e-book pricing lawsuits filed by many states and private class plaintiffs, bringing an end to the long-running complaints in the U.S.