Skip to main content

iPod/iPhone > News

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 EC statement on Apple iTunes price change

Europe welcomes price harmonisation here, but may be watching the music industry

Jonny Evans

  • Email to a friend
  • Print this article
  • Bookmark this page
  • RSS feed

The European Commission has issued a brief statement, welcoming Apple’s move to bring UK iTunes prices into line with those made available in other European states.

Europe’s competition commissioner Neelie Kroes said: "The Commission is very much in favour of solutions which allow consumers to benefit from a truly single market for music downloads."

The Commission noted that its enquiry had found no agreement between Apple and the majors regarding how the iTunes store is organised in Europe, saying Apple’s per-territory price structure was an attempt to take into account the country-specific aspects of copyright laws.

But in what could be a warning to existing music industry territorial structures, the Commission also notes itself to be: “Very much in favour of solutions which would allow consumers to buy off the iTunes' online store without restrictions, but it is aware that some record companies, publishers and collecting societies still apply licensing practices which can make it difficult for iTunes to operate stores accessible for a European consumer anywhere in the EU.”

Apple’s move to harmonise prices ends the different treatment of UK consumers who currently have to pay higher prices for downloads. The different treatment to UK consumers was a major concern for UK consumer protection organization, Which?, who filed a formal complaint with the Commission.

The Commission does not intend to take further action in this case.

Email A Friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:



PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.

<<prev article | back to news index | next article>>

Question of the day!

Mark Hattersley
Editor in Chief

Do you share your creations online?

Question of the day!

Do you share your creations online?

% of Macworld readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What do you create and how do you share it?

124 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @TabletChat

paintings & illustrations, mostly, which i upload to flickr.RT @fragmentedm

I draw manga/anime characters. I also do graphic design and photography.RT @spialelo

Yes. I usually put them up on my #deviantart account for feedback on how to improve.RT @spialelo

Latest News


More news...