Apple has filed its response with Norway’s Consumer Council over concerns that iTunes Music Store licensing violates Scandinavian laws. According to Macworld UK, Apple submitted its response by the Council’s deadline, but the contents of the letter has not been released to the public.
Norway claims that the terms and conditions for purchasing music from the iTunes Music Store (iTMS) need to be changed to comply with Scandinavian laws. The Ombudsman for Norway’s Consumer Council sent Apple a letter requesting the company alter it’s licensing terms. The letter also asks Apple to defend its digital rights management (DRM) policy.
Denmark and Sweden have also filed complaints, and are closely watching to see how Norway’s complaint plays out since the countries all have similar laws.
Bjorn Smith, a spokesperson for Sweden’s Consumer Agency, commented “If [Apple] won’t change anything, we’ll most probably have to take them to the court in Sweden.”
The Norwegian Consumer Council contends that Apple’s FairPlay DRM technology unfairly prohibits music purchased from the iTMS from playing on devices other than the iPod, and that Apple is trying to impose English law as part of its music download contract.
If the Consumer Council isn’t satisfied with Apple’s response, it may take the company to court in an effort to enforce compliance. Apple would likely shut down the iTMS in Norway before opening its DRM technology to competitors.