Apple Changes its I-Tune

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 15th Jan 2008

Sharon Bowles MEP, Liberal Democrat European Competition spokesperson, has welcomed the announcement from Apple that it will cut the costs of downloading songs in the UK by 10%. Sharon Bowles said "Although the Commission has clarified that Apple has not infringed Article 81, which would have instigated antitrust proceedings, its investigations certainly gave publicity to the higher prices for downloads in the UK."

As there has been no agreement between Apple and record labels, there is no foundation on which to pursue an anti trust infringement. Apple has insisted that i-tunes downloads are charged differently due to copyright legislation.

"Due to different national copyright laws there is room for various charges but in the context of using the internet it is unreasonable. I therefore welcome the Commission's decision and am pleased that Apple saw fit to make the costs for UK customers more in line with those charged abroad," said Mrs Bowles.

Ends.