Representatives of Eurocommission have scarified system of protection against the copying, used by Apple at sale music on the Internet. Now the business concerns only penalties, however a number of countries can start proceedings against the company. Nevertheless, Apple tries to shift the responsibility on Sony BMG, EMI, Universal and Warner.
The eurocommissioner on protection of consumers’ rights has found out the infringement of the consumers’ rights that the music bought in the Internet-shop iTunes Music Store can be listened only on iPod players. The reason is simple - both iTunes and players are advanced by Apple Company. In other words, a technology of digital management of copyrights DRM (Digital Rights Management) which interferes with reproduction of the files loaded with iTunes, on any devices, except for a player iPod, is under the threat. Thus the eurocommissioner marks, that there are no similar restrictions on musical compact disks (CDs).
The eurocommissioner was not the first who has lifted a question concerning DRM, used by Apple, and the infringement of consumers’ rights. Earlier the representatives of consumers’ rights in France, Finland, Germany and Norway spoke about the same problem.
Norway (that is not the EU member-state) has even promised to start investigation of Apple’s activity if the company will not cease to use the system of protection of files from copying till October, 1st, 2007.