Europa declares war on iTunes

FRENCH AND GERMAN consumer groups have joined a Nordic-led war against Apple's iTunes.

According to Aussie paper, the Sydney Morning Herald, the groups claim that the digital jukebox was unfair to its punters and violated contract and copyright laws in Europe.

At the heart of the problem is Apple's insistence that the iTunes format can only be played on the iPod. This shuts out competition in exactly the same way that Microsoft Windows blocked competition with its Windows Media Player, they say.

Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman Bjoern Erik Thon said French consumer lobby UFC-Que Choisir and its German counterpart, Ferbraucherzentralen were important to the campaign because Germany and France are big buyers of digital music.

Thon said Norway gave Apple until September to change its polices, or face possible legal action and fines in the country.

Apple bizarrely seems to be thinking that the problem is all Europe's fault and that it is actually being competitive by playing monopoly.

More here. µ