“A top European Commission official raised questions on Tuesday about whether competition authorities needed to regulate Apple’s iPod music players,” Reuters reports.
Reuters reports, “Some critics have called for measures to force Apple to make the music it sells on its online iTunes music store compatible with mp3 music players, other than its own iPods.”
“‘Before we jump in to regulate competition on the market it is worth asking whether competition is actually harmed,’ the Commission’s director general for competition, Philip Lowe, said at an antitrust conference in Munich, Germany,” Reuters reports.
Reuters reports, “Lowe, the second-highest competition official in the EU asked, ‘Is there not vigorous competition between different bundles of mp3 players and music libraries?'”
Full article here.
Related articles:
EU Commish backs off on Apple: No problem with iTunes Store’s FairPlay DRM – March 13, 2007
U.S. Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology says EU ‘rhetoric’ against Apple is confusing – March 13, 2007
EU Commish on Apple’s iTunes + FairPlay DRM: ‘Something has to change’ – March 12, 2007
Anti-DRM activists rap Steve Jobs; Group petitions Apple CEO to remove FairPlay DRM software – March 10, 2007
Is DRM doomed? – March 09, 2007
How Apple’s FairPlay DRM works – February 26, 2007
Windows Vista’s DRM is bad news – February 14, 2007
Monster Cable announces full support of Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ call for DRM-free music – February 13, 2007
Recording Industry Association of America wants their DRM, calls for Apple to license FairPlay – February 08, 2007
Warner’s Middlebronfman: Jobs’ DRM-free music call ‘without logic and merit, we’ll not abandon DRM’ – February 08, 2007
Dvorak: Apple CEO Steve Jobs is dead right about DRM – February 07, 2007
Apple’s Jobs jolts music industry; Zune exec calls Jobs’ call for DRM-free music ‘irresponsible’ – February 07, 2007
Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ posts rare open letter: ‘Thoughts on Music’ – calls for DRM-free music – February 06, 2007
Norwegian Ombudsman: Apple’s FairPlay DRM is illegal in Norway – January 24, 2007
Major music labels ponder DRM-free future – January 23, 2007
“measures to force Apple”
Force? WTF? It’s easier to just pull out than face bullying tactics.
Don’t be a fool! Get a clue EU!
It should be blatantly obvious that the also-rans have no idea what to provide the consumer and that’s not Apple’s fault. The competition should do a better job at trying to make a superior product that compel audiences to buy not force the regulators to unfairly level the playing field. If the shoe were on the other foot, I’m sure no one would be complaining because that means Microsoft would be in a dominant position.
I can’t understand why people feel the need to have Microsoft involved in everything in order for a market to be considered “viable.”
Wow, someone actually wants to lok at and understand an issue before reacting.
Signs that someone in The EU is rational and reasonably intelligent-a rarity in any government anywhere.
It seems to me that Mafia$oft has a greater strangle-hold on the OS market than Apple does on the music market. I know the EU has already found them to be anti-competitive, but the EU is talking about forcing a much bigger change in corporate operations with Apple than they ever did with Micro$haft.
EU is the only force against Micro$oft when US Goverment does nothing.
It is good that EU investigates things.
Well vigorous seems rather misplaced in the current context but then in the words of Steve Ballmer Microsoft just keeps coming and coming and coming and coming and……………
“”measures to force Apple”
Force? WTF? It’s easier to just pull out than face bullying tactics.”
im sure apple wouldnt like to lose nearly half their business now would they
I’m watching the Adobe live presentation….Hey anybody there in the UE is looking at them? Am I wrong or after they acquired Macromedia (thanks again TeoCons) they are for REAL the CLEAR Monopoly in Graphics Software Market? Should we count some open source experiments?
Does somebody forgot how Adobe has used its Monopoly Power to slow down Mac Intel sales?
So sure Apple has the best ever (by now) model of player/web Store… But hey! Hey there, does Apple bought iTunes form some company? Does Apple bought iPod form someone? Does Apple compete with Adobe and Mafiasoft? Yes since 1984!
Apple’s people like to compete and this is part of its history, it’s out there written bold!
Does Mr.Jobs tour the UE country imposing his software to Pubblic Companies, after taking the Officials (loobist) at dinner….?
Should we (europeans) talk about the UE Commission been destroying our food, wine, artisan traditions in favor of Multinational Companies fake prodouct?
It’s a more sad and less beautifull world (Down by law…revisited)
What, again? Soon to be followed by another retraction, no doubt.
44% of European citizens who’s country entered the EU think that their life has gotten worse…
just send em all iPhones bitch, that will shut them up
Sanity reigns, finally. For those who can’t read the diplospeak, Lowe is aiming his criticism at the loudmouthed activists in Europe who demand that Apple be punished for being successful.
Those who can not distinguish between the honest victories of Apple from the mafia stunts of Microsoft are either socialist gangsters or hopeless idiots.
Just let them watch this video…the proof of Apple’s high competitive attitude: Jobs introduce iPod in 2001…no lawyers mum! just facts…
Enjoy!
these wankers just trying to get some sensational coverage so that the people of Europe think that they’re getting their tax money worth. What’s best than hitting on the MOST popular item in the world: iPod.
unfortunately, when it comes to f***ing politicians, it’s a matter of lobbying. pretty sure M$’s lobbyist are endlessly giving in tons of cash for this.
these morons in suits perhaps don’t know even know how to get music from iTunes or understand how it works. (Yes, the songs can be played in any devices as long as you have the copyright)
Aki
andy: “im sure apple wouldnt like to lose nearly half their business now would they”
Half? Got numbers to back that up? Start with EDGAR.
I tried real hard to imagine Steve caving in to the EU idiots. It just didn’t work, sorry I don’t see Steve changing anything for them. I CAN see him shrug, wag his head and then announce that the iPod, iTunes Store, and iPhone will not be available in Europe. Ever.
Then I see him wait awhile while several million angry people demand the EU change THEIR tune!
That’s how that works.