IP Convergence: Beyond VoIP, Beyond Cost Savings

There is an interesting article on BusinessWeek.com about a protest (this English-language article contains a link to the protest in Norwegian) filed by the Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman against Apple alleging that the exclusive link between Apple's iPod and iTunes music store violates Norwegian consumer law by preventing iPod owners from playing songs bought from other online services or listening to iTunes songs on rival MP3 players. The article goes on to state that the Dutch Consumer Ombudsman is making similar claims and that a total of seven European Union member countries are looking into the issue.   

Recalling my last entry, I really think the sort of exclusivity practiced by Apple is far more pernicious than the potential harms perceived by net neutrality proponents.  Apple of course claims their DRM is necessary to secure their partnership with the record labels, but it appears (subscription required) that the recording industry is starting to take a more enlightened view. Let’s hope that the Europeans force Apple to face the music sooner rather than later.