EU competition watchdog bites Apple over iTunes prices

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2007

BRUSSELS (AFP) — After launching action against Microsoft and Intel, the European Union's competition watchdog has taken aim at another US computer giant, Apple, over the price of songs on its online music store.

The watchdog, the European Commission, alleges that Apple has broken EU competition laws by charging different prices for music on its iTunes websites depending on which country they are downloaded from.

The action, notified to Apple in a "statement of objections" two years after the problem was first raised, was welcomed Tuesday by consumer groups, many of which have already complained about the US giant's practices in Europe.

European online shoppers are only able to download music from iTunes in their country of residence -- or where their credit...