[A2k] Apple faces US iTunes lawsuit

[Michelle Childs]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01/03/apple_itunes_lawsuit/
Apple faces US iTunes lawsuit
iPod lock-in under fire on both sides of the Atlantic
By John Leyden → Published Wednesday 3rd January 2007 15:49 GMT
 A US class-action lawsuit has been launched against Apple over links
between its iTunes music store and iPod music players. The action follows
similar charges in Europe, brought by a French consumer rights group.

News of the suit, filed in California in July, came in a disclosure by
Apple that formed part of its report to the US Securities and Exchange
Commission on Friday. Apple's November submission to dismiss the suit,
filed by aggrieved punter Melanie Tucker, was turned down on 11 December,
Computerworld reports.

The lawsuit alleges Apple violated anti-trust laws by using content
protection technology to protect music purchased from its iTunes music
store that frustrates the ability of users to play downloaded tracks on
anything other than an iPod. It also objects to Apple's lack of
transparency to consumers over this incompatibility. The suit seeks to
force Apple into breaking the tie-up between iTunes and iPod players as
well as the payment of unspecified damages to punters who downloaded music
after April 2003. =AE


--
Michelle Childs -Head of European Affairs
Consumer Project on Technology in London
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