New York and Connecticut Officials Investigate Apple Music for Possible Antitrust Violations

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government officials in new york , connecticut investigating deals apple , major record companies established apple music determine whether there antitrust violations, reports the new york times. eric t. schneiderman , george jepsen, attorneys general in 2 states, suspicious apple tried convince record labels abandon free, ad-supported music services offered spotify , youtube.

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the attorneys general wanted know whether apple pressured music labels -- or whether labels conspired apple , 1 -- withdraw support popular "freemium" services offered companies spotify in favor of apple's paid music subscriptions.

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spotify offers freemium ad-supported music tier lets listeners access music @ no cost, provided listen ads. apple music not include free tier on-demand listening spotify, instead requiring users pay $9.99 per month individual plan or $14.99 per month family plan. apple does, however, offer separate radio service can accessed free.

there have been rumors suggesting apple asked record labels discontinue allowing services spotify offer music @ no cost, has led scrutiny european commission, united states department of justice, , the united states federal trade commission. apple music would, of course, more appealing option should other services not able offer music free, remains unclear whether apple executives did indeed push labels change deals.

according the new york times, universal music group cooperating investigation , has told attorneys general via letter has no agreements apple or other record labels "impede availability of free or ad-supported music streaming services" , has no intention enter such agreements. umg has provided macrumors following statement:

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"umg shares attorneys general's commitment robust , competitive market music streaming services in mutual best interest of consumers, artists, services , content companies alike - , have long track record effect. pleased have provided attorneys general information demonstrating conduct. our understanding that, given these representations, attorneys general have no present intention make further inquiries of umg in regard."

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in statement, connecticut attorney general george jepsen said satisfied response received umg. "we continue monitor market ensure consumers , competition protected," said. schneiderman's office made similar statement, saying "it's important ensure market continues develop free collusion , other anticompetitive practices."

jepsen , schneiderman have been involved in apple's affairs several times in past. jepsen led lawsuit against apple during e-book price fixing scandal , has questioned apple apple watch privacy concerns. schneiderman has been involved smartphone anti-theft measures , 1 of main proponents of "kill switch" smartphones.

apple music debuted yesterday at apple's worldwide developers conference. launch public on june 30 alongside ios 8.4.

update 6:42 pm pt: article has been updated include official statement universal music group.

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article link: new york , connecticut officials investigate apple music possible antitrust violations

 

heeere go. evil jerks. real job losers. can't believe i'm forced pay 1 of these moron governments @ gunpoint, can pull crap this.

 

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