Apple iTunes
The EU is reacting to complaints that UK users of iTunes are being overcharged

EU probes Apple over UK iTunes pricing

UK users pay more than anyone in Europe

Iain Thomson

The European Commission is to launch an official investigation into the prices paid in the UK for music downloads, including those set by Apple's iTunes store.

The move follows complaints that UK users of iTunes are being overcharged. Tracks cost 79p or 99p in the UK, compared to the equivalent of 67p and 87p in the rest of Europe.

Advertisement

UK consumers are unable to benefit from the lower prices because they have to use their own country's iTunes store.

"The Commission has sent a Statement of Objections to major record companies and Apple in relation to agreements between each record company and Apple that restrict music sales," said EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes.

"Consumers can only buy music from the iTunes online store in their country of residence. Consumers are thus restricted in their choice of where to buy music, and consequently what music is available, and at what price.

"The Commission alleges in the Statement of Objections that these agreements violate the EC Treaty's rules prohibiting restrictive business practices (Article 81)."

The investigation is not looking into Apple's dominant market position, nor its use of digital rights management technology.

The announcement came the day after Apple signed a deal with EMI to provide DRM-free music downloads via iTunes.

The companies involved have two months to make their case before the Commission. Failure to do so could result in fines of 10 per cent of annual turnover.

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Tags:

Do you agree?

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

iPhone

Video Review: iPhone 3GS

We put Apple's latest iPhone through its paces

Xperia X1

Video Review: Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

First Looks Editor Ian Williams gets hands on with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

IT white papers

Search white papers

Top categories

Poll

Poll: Summer smartphones

Poll: Summer smartphones

Which smartphone will you be taking to the beach this summer?

View poll results

Advertisement

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Spotlight

iPhone

Video Review: iPhone 3GS

We put Apple's latest iPhone through its paces

old computer

Government honours veterans of Bletchley Park at last

Surviving veterans of the code-breaking facility to receive badge of...

Motorola MC55 Enterprise Digital Assistant

Review: Motorola MC55 Enterprise Digital Assistant

A rugged Windows Mobile device for mobile workers

BT

BT promises 1.5m fibre connections by summer 2010

Telco begins major rollout in 69 locations across the UK

Primary Navigation