EU now has a problem with Apple integration of iPod and iTunes

The European Union’s Consumer Protection Commissioner, Meglena Kuneva has said that Apple is being unfair to consumer by tightly integrating their Apple iPod players with their iTunes digital media store.

Incidentally, Apple is not alone. Microsoft is now doing the same with their Zune player which is linked with their Zune marketplace.

Kuneva gave an example by saying that an audio CD would play in any audio CD player available worldwide. But a song purchased and downloaded from Apple iTunes is only usable on company’s own iPod range of media players.

The commission has however clarified that currently the statements were personal views of Kuneva, not a definitive policy position. However, this could be converted into revisions in current EU laws which could pose problems for Apple in the coming months.

David Radack, chair of the intellectual property department of Pittsburgh-based law firm Eckert Seamans spoke about Apple’s policies with iPod and iTunes: “The configuration of iTunes is consistent with how they’ve done hardware and software, making them proprietary. Norway, France, and other countries might not like it, but it’s very doubtful that Apple would change its business model in Europe to meet their requirements.”