MacRumors.com

According to Reuters, the European Union's consumer chief Meglena Kuneva is softening her stance on Apple's iTunes-iPod ecosystem. Recently, she had been quoted as comparing Apple's store with CD's, and the lack of transportability of Apple's tracks to other devices meant "something has to change."

The comments had sparked some fears that the EU was interested in pursuing legal action to force Apple to change its policies. However, Kuneva clarified that that is not the case.

Meglena Kuneva told a news conference there was no reason to talk about legal action against the U.S. computer and technology company and that she merely wanted to raise questions.

"I would like, really, to start this debate. What is best to develop this market and to have more consumers enjoying this really very important, very modern way of downloading and enjoying the music?" she said of Apple's iTunes.

Several European nations and consumer groups have been pressuring Apple to allow iTunes purchases to be playable on portable media players other than Apple's iPod.