Consumer groups from five nations across the pond want Apple's iTunes changed
French
and German consumer groups have joined a continuing battle to force
Apple to open up its DRM, which would allow songs purchased through
iTunes to be played on MP3 players other than Apple's iPods. Germany
and France are joining consumer agencies in Norway, Denmark and
Sweden, who also want Apple to open up its service to competitors.
French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir and German group
Ferbraucherzentralen will join forces with consumer groups already
working on the Nordic-led campaign.
Since
both France and Germany have large markets for digital music, the
consumer groups are hoping that Apple will be willing to work with
them. “This is important because Germany and France are European
giants,” said Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman Bjoern Erik Thon.
Research analysts have already claimed that Apple is unlikely to
change the way it does business in European nations.
Norway,
Denmark and Sweden first claimed that Apple violated contract and
copyright laws in June 2006. Nordic regulators have conducted at
least two meetings with Apple officials over the complaints.
France
put into effect a law which allows regulators to force Apple to make
sure its iTunes store and iPod MP3 player is compatible with
alternatives.
"There is a single light of science, and to brighten it anywhere is to brighten it everywhere." -- Isaac Asimov
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