Apple faces anti trust action in Norway

FRUIT THEMED TOYMAKER Apple is facing anti-trust action in the land which bought us Viking raiders.

Norway's top consumer advocate has sharpened his axe and taken Apple to the government's Market Council in a test case seeking to force the American company to open its Itunes music store to players other than the Ipod.

Norway had been working on Apple to make its online store compatible with rivals' digital music players for more than two years. Apple has ignored the Norwegians.

The council has the power under Norwegian law to order companies to change trade practices, and can also order fines if companies fail to comply.

Apple has until November 3rd to respond and so far Jobs’ Mob has not commented on the move.

The Norwegians have this funny idea that it is a consumer's right to transfer and play digital content bought and downloaded from the Internet to the music device of their choice. Apple believes that consumers should do what Steve Jobs says they can do.

Apple has somewhat patronisingly told the Norwegian consumer group that it shares its goal of making systems interoperable but for some reason has been unable to do so for more than two years.

If the Norwegian consumer group wins, then it could go pear-shaped for Apple in Europe. Finland, Denmark, France, Germany and the Netherlands all back the Norwegian moves.

It seems that Apple is keen to copy Microsoft in ignoring anti-trust regulators in Europe only to find itself getting a good kicking in the courts. Maybe one day Apple will learn that it actually has to be nice to punters. µ

L'Inq
Forbrukerombudget.no