Norwegian consumer activist officials are alleging that the DRM on iTunes-downloaded AAC files are in breach of Norwegian law.
In a report from consumer ombudsman Bjorn Erik Thon, Norway says that it is a consumer’s right to manage and play songs on a device of his or her choosing. In the report, it is alleged that iTunes makes this difficult or impossible.
It’s a consumer’s right to transfer and play digital content bought and downloaded from the internet to the music device he himself chooses to use. iTunes makes this impossible or at least difficult, and hence, they act in breach of Norwegian law.
Thon has submitted the case to the Norwegian Market Council which is expected to make a final ruling this summer. Should the NMC declare Apple in violation of Norwegian law, Apple will be compelled to eliminate DRM or exit operations in the region.
Should Apple fail to adhere to Norwegian law, it will be subject to six-figure fines that have currently been pegged at up to 400,000 Euros. Additionally, Thon claims that his current efforts have the support from several members of the EU including France, Germany and Finland.
The case has also caught the eye of the EU’s consumer advocate Meglena Kuneva, which could land Apple on the business end of the EU’s wrath.
Just ask Microsoft how well that went for them.
Articles RSS