The news means that the music on iTunes Store will be available for all music players, not only Apples own player, iPod.

- This is ground-breaking news, says Thon. 
 
Two years ago, the Consumer Ombudsman first criticized iTunes for the use of unfair contract terms in breach of the Norwegian Marketing Control Act. One of the terms the Consumer Ombudsman found to be unfair, was the fact that most of the music bought on iTunes Store was only possible to play on iPod.
 
Today’s news, released on Apple’s keynote at the Macworld Expo in San Fransisco, means that the consumer now is free to play digital content bought on iTunes Store on the music device he himself chooses to use.

- The consumer’s freedom of choice in the online music market is an important right. Apple’s decision is important to consumers all over the world, and will lead to a more open and consumer friendly market, says Thon.

The Norwegian Consumer Ombudsman’s demand for interoperability has received support among leading consumer organisations and advocates of consumers’ digital rights.

For further information, please contact:
Consumer Ombudsman Bjørn Erik Thon (Tlf: + 47 99 00 50 90)