Norway rules iTunes illegal

Norway's consumer ombudsman Bjoern Erik Thon ruled Apple's iTunes online music store is illegal because it restricts downloaded content from playback on rival devices. Thon said Apple must open iTunes access by October 1, or else Norwegian courts will begin imposing fines. Consumer rights organizations in Germany, France, Sweden and Finland are also reviewing iTunes policies, and issued a joint statement reading in part "We believe consumers have a right to play material purchased online on a portable device of their own choice. Contract clauses that make this impossible or too inconvenient are unfair and should be revoked." Apple declined comment.

For more on the Norway action:
- read this Financial Times article

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