“The European Commission failed to find evidence of collusion among the major music labels and Apple to quash free music streaming services such as those offered by Spotify, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter,” Dawn Chmielewski reports for Re/code. “Investigators examined whether the labels conspired with one another or with Apple on Apple’s new streaming music service in a way that would hurt rivals. The probe failed to turn up any illegal activity, though the EU will continue to monitor the market, sources said.”
“Separately, the EU has asked Spotify and other music streaming services for information pertaining to Apple’s mobile App Store, according to people with knowledge of the situation. Regulators are seeking information on the restrictions Apple places on apps offered through the store,” Chmielewski reports. “The U.S. Federal Trade Commission similarly is exploring whether Apple’s treatment of rival streaming music apps in the App Store violate antitrust laws.”
“Music industry executives have accused Spotify of urging the EU to look into the sector ahead of Apple Music’s launch, though label executives drew attention to the issue with public statements criticizing free streaming,” Chmielewski reports. “The trade publication Mlex, which closely tracks the regulatory issues, first reported that the EU had found no evidence of misconduct in its streaming music inquiry.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Oh ok. 🙂
As per the App Store: If Spotify, Rdio, Rhapsody, Tidal, Pandora, etc. don’t like Apple’s App Store terms, they are free to market their wares to non-iOS users. Surely their “freemium” offering will be in very high demand among the BOGOF cheapskate set who have proven extremely willing to surrender their privacy and personal date in exchange for what they erroneously think is “free.”
As myopic “analysts” like to repeatedly tell each other on CNBC, Apple’s iOS market share is dwarfed by Android, that amazing and wondrous OS that delivers not only a poor facsimile of iOS along with 99% of all mobile malware, but also exceedingly profitless results for knockoff peddlers the world over. Therefore, Apple clearly does not have a monopoly in smartphones (only in brilliantphones), so there’s simply no monopoly to abuse.
Spotify and the rest of the also-rans: Go peddle your outmoded, inferior crap to the billion+ fragmandroid settlers if you don’t like Apple’s App Store terms. Knock yourselves out.
SEE ALSO:
Apple Music may have an ‘unfair’ advantage, but it likely isn’t illegal – July 27, 2015
U.S. Senate Democrat Al Franken urges federal probe of Apple Music – July 23, 2015
Consumer Watchdog Asks U.S. feds to investigate Apple Music over alleged ‘antitrust violations’ – July 22, 2015
Oh ok, Spotify listeners are upgrading to Apple Music – July 19, 2015
Apple Music faces antitrust scrutiny in New York, Connecticut – June 10, 2015
Apple unveils revolutionary Apple Music service – June 8, 2015
a href=”http://macdailynews.com/2015/05/07/rival-music-services-claim-apples-app-store-pricing-is-anticompetitive/”>Rival music services claim Apple’s App Store pricing is anticompetitive – May 7, 2015
EU regulators already probing Apple’s music streaming plans in Europe – April 2, 2015
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Readers “Fred Mertz,” “Dan K.,” and “BD” for the heads up.]