James Delahunty
25 Jan 2007 7:25
The pressure continues to pile up on Apple Computer Inc. over its use of Digital Rights Management (DRM) software that effectively ties music bought from the iTunes music store with the company's iPod brand of MP3 players. The Norwegian consumer ombudsman has given Apple a warning to open access to music downloads the company offers by October 1st or face legal consequences.
Last June, the Norwegian ombudsman said that iTunes violated the law by forcing its customers to play their legal music downloads on its iPods. The decision prompted other European countries to review the situation. "They must make iTunes music compatible with other players than the iPod by the end of September, or we will take them to court," the ombudsman, Bjoern Erik Thon, told Reuters.
"iTunes is imposing unreasonable and unbalanced restrictions that are not in accordance with Norwegian law," he added. He said the courts could impose fines on iTunes until the service offers downloads that are compatible with rival devices. The case would initially be handled by Norway's Market Council, and if appealed, would move on to ordinary courts.
Source:
Reuters