France and Germany join Norway to unlock iTunes
A Consumer Ombudsman in Norway has ruled that Apple’s DRM lock on its iPod device and iTunes software is illegal. Now, consumer groups in Germany and France are also joining Norway’s action against Apple.
“This is important because Germany and France are European giants,” Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman Bjoern Erik Thon told news agency Associated Press. “Germany, in particular, is a big market for digital music.”
The Consumer Council says Apple has three options: 1.) license Fairplay to any manufacturer that wants iTunes songs to play on its machines; 2.) it can co-develop an open standard with other companies; 3.) abandon DRM altogether.
According to Out-Law.com, “The news of France and Germany’s support for the Nordic action came as record industry executives admitted to reporters that the major labels may be prepared to perform a U-turn on using DRM technology to control downloaded files.” Interesting…
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[…] Looks like Europe is banding together to slay the iTunes restrictions monster. Just after Germany and France joined Norway in opening up iTunes, a Dutch consumer advocacy group has also been “inspired” by Norway’s consumer ombudsman. […]
January 28th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
[…] There’s been lots o’ pressure coming from France, Norway, Germany and the Dutchregarding Apple iTunes DRM issues. So Steve Jobs published an open letter, “Thoughts on Music,” in which be says Apple would get rid of digital rights management technology “in a heartbeat” if only record companies would let them sell unprotected music. […]
February 6th, 2007 at 9:09 pm