The European Commission is looking into Apple’s streaming service negotiations with record labels, according to the Financial Times.
Sources say that the commission has contacted multiple labels and digital music companies. They’ve sent questionnaires asking about the negotiations that are taking place. This most likely means the European Commission received a formal complaint about Apple, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a formal antitrust investigation will be launched.
The commission has reportedly contacted Apple’s streaming competitors, and are concerned that Apple could pressure labels into pulling music from free ad-supported services.
The commission recently released their strategy to create a single digital market in Europe.
Nina Ulloa covers breaking news, tech, and more: @nine_u
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” This most likely means the European Commission received a formal complaint about Apple, but it doesn’t necessarily mean a formal antitrust investigation will be launched.”
A better question. Why is it the labels “reportedly” are determining what Apple MUST charge subscribers. Someone got the story backwards.
As a historical FYI. Amazon paid for the ” white paper” that initiated the ‘price fixing’ investigation against iTunes e-book pricing. Ironically, Amazon is now using the same 70 / 30 split.
Investigating the wrong end of the problem!
Start by investigating GoogleTube, the largest piracy organization in the world.