iTunes Store subject of U.S. antitrust investigation

The American Department of Justice has started an antitrust investigation into Apple's iTunes Music Store, reports Webwereld. According to Billboard Magazine Amazon asked music labels to obtain the exclusive right to sell new songs one day before the sceduled release date, in exchange for promotion of the songs on their MP3 Daily Deal site. The iTunes Store threatened these labels to cease marketing of their songs if they accept Amazon’s offer.

Besides the investigation into the iTunes Store, there are more ongoing investigations into Apple’s services. The Federal Trade Commission is investigating the strict rules that Apple would impose on developers of iPhone apps.

In America, the Sherman Act is the basis for competition legislation. Article 81 and 82 of the EC Treaty form the basis of European competition law.

27 May 2010