Euro-MP calls for end to "anti-competitive" iTunes.

12.58.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 4th Oct 2005

London's Liberal Democrat MEP Baroness Sarah Ludford has welcomed the decision of the European Commission to investigate iPod maker Apple over a possible breach of EU competition rules.

Under Apple's current system, customers can only download music from on-line iTunes stores in their own countries, and are prohibited from visiting other European sites. This partitions national markets and blocks consumers from shopping around to find the lowest prices or access to a wider variety of music.

Sarah Ludford said:

"This is a prime example of a powerful industrial lobby riding roughshod over consumer rights. Because of Apple's attempts to maximise profits, music-lovers in Britain find themselves unable to find the best value or download French or German music."

"EU free trade principles and the European single market are designed to prevent this kind of fix, so I'm pleased that Brussels is investigating. But it must be followed with swift and effective action should Apple be found in violation of EU competition law. "