September 29th, 2008
Norway to challenge closed iTunes model
Norway’s Consumer Ombudsman Bjoern Erik Thon announced that he’s taking Apple Inc. to the government’s Market Council to force the company to open its iTunes music store to digital players other than its own iPod.
Currently, songs purchased and downloaded through iTunes are designed to work with Apple’s market-leading iPod players but not competitors’ models, including those using Microsoft Corp.’s Windows Media system. Likewise, iPods generally can’t play copy-protected music sold through non-Apple stores.
Two years ago Europe began a concerted effort to have Apple open iTunes so that purchased tracks could be played on any music player, not just the iPod. According to the report Apple has until 03 November 2008 to respond to the complaint, although Thon doesn’t expect the Market Council to decide on the case sometime early next year.
How about making all music DRM-free? Wouldn’t that solve all of our digital music problems?
(Tip: AP)
Jason D. O'Grady is the editor of PowerPage.org, which has been publishing daily mobile technology news since December 1995. For disclosures on Jason's industry affiliations, click here or to view Jason's full profile click here.
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