Virgin: Apple's not playing fair with iPod

**dj_stick** · Aug 9, 2004, 11:33 AM

"French online music store Virgin Mega has filed a complaint against Apple Computer, claiming that the company's refusal to licence the copy protection technology used in its iPod is harming competition.

The action was filed with the French Competition Council in June and disclosed along with several other legal matters on Thursday as part of Apple's quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

According to the filing, the online store, part of the Virgin family, is seeking various unspecified "interim measures," pending a decision on the merits of the case. A hearing on that request is expected in either October or November, Apple said in the filing.

An Apple representative declined to comment further on the Virgin dispute. A Virgin representative was not immediately available for comment.

A number of media companies, most prominently RealNetworks, have called on Apple to open up its FairPlay digital rights technology so that other digital music services can securely transfer files onto Apple's iPod player. FairPlay blocks people from making unlimited copying of songs but also makes sure that the iPod doesn't work with any other kind of copy-protected formats."

Read More

Source: ZDNet, Australia

Aug 9, 2004, 11:33 AM	#1
dj_stick Apple Fanboy? Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Basement of the first floor Posts: 17,485 Rep Power: 190 System Specs	Virgin: Apple's not playing fair with iPod "French online music store Virgin Mega has filed a complaint against Apple Computer, claiming that the company's refusal to licence the copy protection technology used in its iPod is harming competition. The action was filed with the French Competition Council in June and disclosed along with several other legal matters on Thursday as part of Apple's quarterly filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. According to the filing, the online store, part of the Virgin family, is seeking various unspecified "interim measures," pending a decision on the merits of the case. A hearing on that request is expected in either October or November, Apple said in the filing. An Apple representative declined to comment further on the Virgin dispute. A Virgin representative was not immediately available for comment. A number of media companies, most prominently RealNetworks, have called on Apple to open up its FairPlay digital rights technology so that other digital music services can securely transfer files onto Apple's iPod player. FairPlay blocks people from making unlimited copying of songs but also makes sure that the iPod doesn't work with any other kind of copy-protected formats." Read More Source: ZDNet, Australia