UPDATED: Apple escapes EU fine - iTunes prices to be equal across EU

Posted on 9 Jan 2008 at 09:48

The European Commission will not be fining Apple, or any of the major record companies, over allegations of restrictive practices in the online music market, reports suggest.

The Commission is said to have been unable to build a case against EMI, Sony BMG, Universal Music and Warner Music under existing EU law.

Yesterday, Reuters reported that Apple had agreed to make some changes to the way that the iTunes Store operates in order to meet Commission concerns, though neither side was prepared to comment and the nature of those changes has not been disclosed.

UPDATE: Apple will equalise prices for its iTunes downloads across Europe within the next six months, the European Commission said on Wednesday.

"This puts an end to the different treatment of UK consumers who currently have to pay higher prices for downloads," the European Union's top competition watchdog said in a statement.

Antitrust proceedings have also clarified that it is not agreements between Apple and the major record companies which determine how the iTunes store is organised in Europe, the Commission said.

"Consequently, the Commission does not intend to take further action in this case," the Commission said.

Author: Simon Aughton / Reuters

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