EU iTunes Antitrust Probe

The EU has launched a probe into what Apple's online music store iTunes charges users across Europe, accusing it of restricting customer choice.

Brussels believes agreements between Apple and record companies violate EU laws by preventing users in one country buying music from a site elsewhere.

The move follows a complaint by UK body Which? that British users have to pay more to download songs than others.

Apple said it wanted to offer a single European service but faced obstacles.

Different pricing

The Commission's move is unrelated to an agreement, announced on Monday, between iTunes and EMI to make the latter's music available online without piracy protection.

Brussels has written to iTunes and a number of unnamed record companies to notify them of their objections to the way music is sold, the first step in formal proceedings.

"Consumers can only buy music from the iTunes online stores in their country of residence and are therefore restricted in their choice of where to buy music," said EU competition spokesman Jonathan Todd.

Research by Which? in 2005 found that UK users paid 79p (1.16 euros) to download a song compared with 66p (99 euro cents) in France and Germany.

Apple said it had always wanted to offer a fully pan-European service but was restricted by the demands of its music partners.

"We were advised by the music labels and publishers that there were certain legal limits to the rights they could grant us," it said in a statement.

The companies targeted by Brussels have two months in which to respond to the charges.

- BBC


It's about time.

We've being paying too much on too many things in the UK for far too long.

... I want legislation! I'm sick of Apple screwing us Europeans. The whole thing is a rip off. I hate the principals espoused by the WTO but on this occasion I'd like to hold big business to them. They are limiting me through unfair and restrictive practices from buying music from the Canadian store where I believe they pay 0.99 CAD which is 0.65 euro or 44 pence. As far as I understand the heavy handed principals of globalisation this kind of protected market is illegal. As for anyone about to mount a copyright licence counter argument for different territories - don't! That's just another way for big business to screw you too. Also charging more for non DRM songs. There's no end to their greed is there?

The probe - it will take millions of euros and months to complete and at the end of the day you'll have a 700 page report that says "Apple are a bit naughty but what can you do?"

As for me it doesn't effect me as I prefer vinyl over CD and a CD over a download.

Finally!! It's about time! I love the convenience of the iTunes store but they have been operating ILLEGALLY in the EU for some time now.

It's my RIGHT as a EU citizen to buy from any store anywhere in the EU, however Apple seem to deem this as not possible.

the "agreement between apple and records companies", Apple should have been tougher in the agreement if it actually "long wanted to offer a flat price". lol

guess how much the fine would be?

last time I checked, M$ was fined 1B.

Finally, it's about time. Perhaps now I can order tunes from the French or German iTunes. Free the system!

it would be nice to have centralised distribution. there are too many good musiks that are not available to countries because of this policy. If it has to be changed from the distributors standpoint, then so be it, but it must change.

Unfortunately for Apple, it is Apple that is liable because they are the ones that operate the store and facilitate the interaction with the consumer.

If this lawsuit goes through (which I doubt), I'd expect to see Apple have to pay fines. Apple may have a case to then sue the labels, but I don't know if they'd want to do that.

In the end though, I expect a situation similar to what just happened with the DRM thing... Apple will squiggle out of their predicament at the last minute and avoid going to any kind of trial.

This is idiotic. I guess they haven't heard of how record companies don't license across national borders. :rolleyes:

Also, someone has to say it...


NOT THE PROBE! :eek: I hope they use Lube™. :D

Unfortunately for Apple, it is Apple that is liable because they are the ones that operate the store and facilitate the interaction with the consumer.

If this lawsuit goes through (which I doubt), I'd expect to see Apple have to pay fines. Apple may have a case to then sue the labels, but I don't know if they'd want to do that.

In the end though, I expect a situation similar to what just happened with the DRM thing... Apple will squiggle out of their predicament at the last minute and avoid going to any kind of trial.

It's simple. Just allow people to download tracks from any country they want. I vant my german rap!!! :rolleyes:

This is silly. They want a giant single EU server powering iTunes rather than country specific ones, yet you can no longer import music into the UK from anywhere else in Europe.

The BBC are also reporting on the price of iTunes music in the UK, saying that our songs are 20% more expensive than mainland Europe.

I'd buy so many songs for 50p a pop.