EU says record firms force iTunes to limit access
Major record companies are forcing Apple to curtail access to iTunes online stores across borders, leading to higher prices and less choice, the European Commission said on Tuesday.The EU executive sent formal charges to Apple and the major record...
Major record companies are forcing Apple to curtail access to iTunes online stores across borders, leading to higher prices and less choice, the European Commission said on Tuesday.
The EU executive sent formal charges to Apple and the major record companies last week because consumers can only buy iTunes in their own countries and cannot shop around for cheaper prices and a broader catalogue in other states.
"Our current view is that this is an arrangement which is imposed on Apple by the major record companies and we do not see a justification for it," Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd told reporters. The world's major record companies are Vivendi's Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, EMI Group and Warner Music Group.
Universal Music said it was "completely satisfied that we have complied with all applicable laws and will respond in due course on the issues raised in the document".
EMI said it would cooperate fully with the Commission, adding: "We do not believe we have breached European competition law, and we will be making that case strongly".
Warner had no comment and Sony-BMG was unavailable for comment. The four companies have until early June to respond to the Commission.
The EU executive sent formal charges to Apple and the major record companies last week because consumers can only buy iTunes in their own countries and cannot shop around for cheaper prices and a broader catalogue in other states.
"Our current view is that this is an arrangement which is imposed on Apple by the major record companies and we do not see a justification for it," Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd told reporters. The world's major record companies are Vivendi's Universal Music Group, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, EMI Group and Warner Music Group.
Universal Music said it was "completely satisfied that we have complied with all applicable laws and will respond in due course on the issues raised in the document".
EMI said it would cooperate fully with the Commission, adding: "We do not believe we have breached European competition law, and we will be making that case strongly".
Warner had no comment and Sony-BMG was unavailable for comment. The four companies have until early June to respond to the Commission.