“A top U.S. antitrust official Wednesday urged foreign governments to think twice before interfering with popular new technologies, singling out overseas scrutiny of Apple Computer’s iTunes online music service as an example of misguided enforcement,” Peter Kaplan reports for Reuters.
Kaplan reports, “Justice Department antitrust chief Thomas Barnett cited proposals by some officials overseas to impose restrictions on iTunes as an example of overzealous regulation that he said could discourage innovation and hurt consumers. Barnett warned about a rise in ‘regulatory second-guessing” that “threatens to harm the very consumers it claims to help.'”
“The comments came during a speech at an antitrust law conference in Washington, D.C., before an audience that included antitrust officials from Europe and Asia,” Kaplan reports. “Barnett did not name specific agencies or countries. However, officials in France and several Scandinavian countries have been considering steps that would require Apple to permit iTunes music to play on devices other than its iPod.”
“Barnett said the scrutiny of Apple ‘provides a useful illustration of how an attack on intellectual property rights can threaten dynamic innovation.’ Barnett said Apple should be applauded for creating a legal, profitable and easy-to-use system for downloading music and other entertainment via the Internet,” Kaplan reports. “Excessive government interference can deter innovation and encourage rival companies to ‘devote their resources to legal challenges rather than business innovation,’ he added.”
Full article here.
Related articles:
Scandinavian agencies to meet Apple over iTunes – August 16, 2006
Norway not satisfied with Apple concessions – August 02, 2006
Norwegian council reviews Apple response to Nordic iTunes complaints – August 01, 2006
Can Scandinavians really force Apple to change iTunes Store terms? – June 16, 2006
Scandinavian triumvirate extends deadline to August 1 for Apple to reply to iTunes concerns – June 14, 2006
Norway gives Apple until June 21 to change iTunes Music Store terms – June 12, 2006
Norway: iTMS DRM under scrutiny, Microsoft DRM next – June 09, 2006
Consumer Council of Norway files a complaint regarding Apple iTunes Music Store’s terms of service – January 27, 2006
Gutted French ‘iTunes law’ ends up solving nothing – August 01, 2006
French anti-iTunes law deemed unconstitutional – July 31, 2006
Parts of French ‘iPod Law’ struck down as unconstitutional – July 28, 2006
French lawmakers give final approval to watered-down ‘iTunes law’ – June 30, 2006
Apple awaits final approval of French DRM Legislation – June 23, 2006
French lawmakers agree to water down DRM bill that would affect Apple’s iTunes – June 21, 2006
It’s no wonder EMI is supporting Apple in France – May 23, 2006
EMI backs Apple on French DRM law – May 23, 2006
BusinessWeek: still very possible that Apple will close iTunes Music Store in France – May 12, 2006
French copyright bill approved: Apple will not have to share FairPlay DRM details with competitors – May 11, 2006
French Senate vote could offer loophole for Apple’s iTunes – May 09, 2006
Vive l’iTunes! French ‘state-sponsored piracy’ DRM law gutted in committee – May 01, 2006
Force open Apple’s FairPlay? What has possessed the French this time? – April 27, 2006
French Trade Minister: Apple’s iTunes must play fair in French music market – April 14, 2006
JP Morgan: French DRM law will have limited impact on Apple Computer – March 28, 2006
Dvorak: What the French got right with proposed DRM law – March 28, 2006
Will Apple’s Steve Jobs bid France adieu? – March 22, 2006
Wired’s Kahney: Proposed French copyright protection law a good thing for consumers in the long run – March 22, 2006
Apple calls proposed French DRM law ‘state-sponsored piracy,’ predicts iPod sales increase – March 21, 2006
French National Assembly approves digital copyright bill; could affect Apple’s FairPlay DRM – March 21, 2006
The US Government should shut its mouth and let Apple deal with these countries on a piece by piece basis. With Washington’s current low standing in the world, any comment from The Justice Department inferring that US jurisdiction overrides the rights of national Goveernments to govern their own territories is likely to hurt Apple’s cause rather than help it.
Exile 5, the Euro weenies don’t like the US, because the US is dominating their culture and technologies.
Well too bad… maybe they should just shut up.
“Excessive government interference can deter innovation and encourage rival companies to ‘devote their resources to legal challenges rather than business innovation,’ he added.”
Well, EU burocrats are nothing but lawyers!
Hoo-bloody-ray.
When all software is cross platform.
Then they should go after the people that only write for one product.
The masses, and governments didn’t care when MAC users couldn’t get certain things, but now the shoe is on the other foot.
They want songs from iTMS to play on other devices. They already do. They play on Macs, PCs, CD players, etc.
Mac7, your views are a good 20 years out of date. The USA has already lost it’s dominant position in the world and now needs to learn to work with others.
Back on topic, this is Apple’s fight and one that Apple can win by beating each legislative body in their own courts. US Government interference is not necessary and highly unwelcome.
As much as i dislike the US government, i have to agree with them on this one. iTunes is cross-platform unlike most other services and it’s doing well by creating a simple-to-use and good product-service and not by unfair competition.
“The masses, and governments didn’t care when MAC users couldn’t get certain things, but now the shoe is on the other foot.”
Right on the mark, NINEboy!
It irritates me to hear my ISP say “Well, we don’t really support the Mac.” I think it’s time we Mac users band together and hit these unconscionable goons with class action law suits for taking our money just like PC users, but giving us second or third rate service.
Exile5,
USA has lost their dominant position in the world?
Let’s see:
#1 Militarily – USA
#1 Economically – USA
#1 Higher Education System – USA
It seems to me that unless we’re considering quality of cheese production, skill at soccer, or rich millenia long historical traditions, USA is still up there.
The US government is spot on on this one. Europe is being greedy and singling out Apple because they can’t compete and are jealous of the US. They should make MS make their Media Player DRM work with Macs before they go after iTunes. And while they’re at it active x and load of crap internet explorer. The US rocks. Real men Europeans stand right beside you and support you. Don’t listen to all of the negative crap most these pencil necked geek, can’t get snogged, posters say.
Mac7, your views are straight out of The Ugly American. No wonder we are hated by other countries! Other nations have every damned right to establish their own laws and haul anyone into their courts whom they suspect might be violating them. Everyone here cheered the EU when it dragged Microsoft into court for illegal monopoly practices. I’m sure Apple can take care of itself and present a good case on its own behalf.
Mac12EightK
I really don’t want to hijack this thread with something which is off-topic, so this is my last post on the subject. My point is that the USA used to tower over all the other countries, whereas now it’s clinging onto those #1 positions by its fingertips. It has neither the wealth nor firepower to dictate to the world in the way it used to. China, Japan, & the EU all have bargaining power against the US should it choose to throw its weight around and it won’t be long before India and Russia can do the same.
As for education, that I find rather difficult to believe. If the higher education system is still #1, I guess it’s professors and students from other countries keeping it there. That won’t last for ever.
The U.S. antitrust official didn’t say other countries don’t have the “right” to enact their own laws, he said that it would be BAD POLICY because it would hurt their own consumers. Further, it would violate international trade treaties to which these countries have already committed themselves (i.e., “international law”). BTW, not all of us endorsed the EU’s assault in M$. I would much rather have Apple beat M$ in the market, rather than have M$ beaten by a bunch of bureaucrats flexing their authoritarian muscles.
On a side note, it’s pretty pathetic that some Americans, like Berrylium, can’t even defend their government when they acknowledge it’s RIGHT.
not that I think itunes is an anti-trust case, but this administration doesn’t know the definition of anti-trust.
“Apple gets vote of confidence for iTunes from US antitrust chief”
And Leon’s getting larger.
Edgeley Exile 5 –
“I really don’t want to hijack this thread with something which is off-topic” – then why oh why did you?
“The USA has already lost it’s dominant position in the world and now needs to learn to work with others.” – another diatribe from the unthankful pinhead.
“As for education, that I find rather difficult to believe. If the higher education system is still #1, I guess it’s professors and students from other countries keeping it there. That won’t last for ever” – wow.. and your evidence of the USA being in less that the 1st position comes from where? what a putz…
I am so sick to death of people like you who slander the government and then claim innocence. Just shut the fuck up and appreciate the fact that in whatever country you live in, if it wasn’t for the USA you would probably be speaking russian by now. For once… just shut the fuck up about america.
You’re nothing more than an america hater who has the political version of penis envy
Oh my God!!! For once I actually agree with an official from the Bush administration.
Well, there’s a first for everything.
New MDN taglines:
“Come for the Mac News But Stay for the Heated Political Threads”
“Where Mac News Comes First But Politics Last”
“In Apple We Trust. In Microsoft We Anti-Trust”
“If You Don’t Like the Story, Enjoy the Magic Word”
“Flame, Shame, or Blame. Nobody Rides for Free”
EE 5, you are so off base here, it is pathetic. Forget about the hyper-sensitivity of political issues. There are many routine functions of government that continue to move apace in the US and other countries regardless of who is in power. One of the ways that such persons communicate with each other is conferences like the one reported on above. By using the pulpit of such conferences, influential speakers within their realm of expertise or authority are able to highlight isues that otherwise and often get swept up in purely political trash-talk [like much of what else you wrote here].
What would you suggest: that US policy-makers remain silent about interests that affect their human and corporate citizens? That’s not what I pay my tax dollars for. Among many other things, I pay for advocacy of my fellow citizens’ interests, and in this case, Barnett was right on the mark.
You also spewed this:
“Back on topic, this is Apple’s fight and one that Apple can win by beating each legislative body in their own courts. US Government interference is not necessary and highly unwelcome.“
The level of naiveté you display is extraordinary. Who are you to say it is “unwelcome”? And by what “divine right” do you declare this to be Apple’s fight only? Perhaps you have substantial experience lobbying and fighting as an outsider, and perhaps you have personally written the checks for hundreds of thousands, even millions, of dollars that such campaigns can cost. Somehow, though, I doubt it. Find me someone at Apple in a position of authority who agrees with you and I would reconsider. For now, I suspect they like hearing the sort of thing Barnett said.
Poppycock
It’s not a question of whether Apple agrees with me or not, because France (let’s face it, it’s France being referred to) is not under any obligation to put the interests of any company above those of its citizens. I personally feel that by the US DoJ making a noise in support of Apple, it is more likely that the French court system, which by the way Apple is going to have to pay to go through with or without Barrett’s statement, is going to end up being more aggressive towards Apple’s stance. Apple can win this case on its own merits and should be left to do so.
It’s difficult to reconcile a position where you are for one Government intervening in a corporate matter but not another. I am against DRM yet I am also against the French interference in the DRMed media marketplace. Thirdly, I am against the US Government getting involved and potentially turning this from a corporate into a political issue. If the DoJ wishes to let France know it’s thoughts, it can do so without grandstanding at events like this one.
Here we go. This sure sets off the left wing socialist US haters (some of which are actually living in the US themselves).
Hey, if you hate everything American, then just don’t buy anything from an American company then. Of course, that would eliminate not only Apple, but about half of the other stuff you have in your homes. But go on ahead and do it then, if you actually stand for what you say you do that is. Otherwise you’re just another left wing hypocrite…
Steve Jobs’ Tagline:
“Lead, Follow AND Get Out of My Way.”
This guy has single-handedly turned the computer world, the marketing world and the media world on its ear. He is not one to sit on his laurels and count his money. He is constantly innovating, or at least providing the environment for innovation. Granted there must be a ginormous amount of stress for Apple employees to produce at such a high level, but the end result is always the same: another product that once you start using you can’t live without.
Kudos to Steve and all his minions.
The good thing about America is that everyone is entitled to their opinion, which allows you to label anyone who disagrees with you a traitor, despite the ridiculousness of that position. Sometimes I think right-wingers would rather kill liberals than terrorists. It certainly seems right-wingers are more inclined to want to kill things to ‘solve’ their problems. I suppose if we kill all of our enemies faster than we create them, it would be a winning solution, albeit a rather brutal one. But somehow, I don’t think we can make bullets fast enough to keep up with the ill will we stir up by focusing exclusively on “keeping America safe.” There is a whole world out there, and methinks other people (non-Americans) would disagree with the arguement that Americans are the most important people in the world, thus winding up feeling just a wee bit resentful, dontcha think?? So what, right? Just kill ’em, that’ll fix ’em. Gotta keep us safe from the ‘evildoers.’ <rolling my eyes here> Get a clue, simpletons. The world is a big place, and we are in a position to decide whether we want to participate as citizens in it, or just pretend it’s all about us. One of the choices is a loser. Right-wingers, you figure it out, since you’re in charge at the moment. But you only have a few more months, then the tide will turn once again.
MDN magic word: “one” as is in… it’s one world, and we’re all stuck on it, whether we like it or not.
Intellectual property rights have never had any positive effect on innovation. Innovation is accomplished by people not corporate lawyers. A lot of money is made on property rights yes. The US government is only doing everything it can to keep people shopping. Recessions happen when you all stop buying stuff. Watch…
off topic: the right-wingers are so defensive now. Wow. Just shows what arguably, the worst president in American history, a shamelessly corrupt political party and so much government sponsered propaganda can do to you. Note: shamelessly corrupt. The Dems are corrupt too but at least they’re not so proud of it. Jeez.