Apple Inc. has lost a bid to stop antitrust monitor Michael Bromwich from overseeing the company's compliance with terms of an electronic books price fixing ruling. Bromwich was appointed to the position in October, U.S. District Judge Denise Cote ruled that Apple "played a central role" in the scheme and broke antitrust laws in its contracts with five of the six biggest publishers. Apple wants Bromwich replaced, saying he inappropriately sought out Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook and for U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who is a board member of the computer maker. At a hearing in Manhattan yesterday Judge Cote said, "Apple is not in a position to define for the monitor the scope of the monitors duties or how the monitor carries out those duties."