http://www.rethink-wireless.com/2010/08/11/europe-join-forces-ftc-apple-probe.htm Europe may join forces with FTC in Apple probe EC refuses to confirm that its investigation will dovetail with US antitrust inquiry By CAROLINE GABRIEL Published: 11 August, 2010 The European Commission is reported to be throwing its weight behind a US antitrust probe into Apple. Though the EC would not officially comment, multiple sources are saying that the European body will team with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its existing investigation of alleged anti-competitive practises at the iPhone maker. The probes focus specifically on Apple's rules for applications on its platforms, particularly the effective exclusion of some technologies like Adobe Flash. EU action has been expected for some time, in the light of new European legislation governing openness between software systems. However, The New York Post reports that it could take months for the EC to set a deadline for its inquiry - and until a date is arranged it cannot officially confirm it has any such process underway. This could push the US competition regulator's own decision back by about six months. In June, the FTC began looking into restrictions in Apple's new iAd mobile advertising platform, and its decision to block Flash from the iPhone and iPad by barring third party compilers. Apple updated its licensing agreement in July to limit the data third parties could access from its apps, which would prevent Google's AdMob service, a rival to iAd, running on Apple devices. This seemed to increase the likelihood of the EC getting involved, following the region's adoption of its Digital Agenda, which includes clauses on technology interoperability. Kroes has already fined Microsoft $1.4bn for lack of software openness, and is now focusing on whether smartphone vendors comply with new European interoperability rules. Kroes recently specifically named Apple's App Store as an example of a closed environment. When considering abuse of a market position, the Agenda wants to change the standard from 'dominant' to 'significant' place in a sector. The document states: "Since not all pervasive technologies are based on standards the benefits of interoperability risk being lost in such areas. The Commission will examine the feasibility of measures that could lead significant market players to license interoperability information while at the same time promoting innovation and competition." Kroes explained: "We need to make sure that significant market players cannot just choose to deny interoperability with their product. This is particularly important in cases where standards don't exist... This is not just about Microsoft or any big company like Apple, IBM or Intel. The main challenge is that consumers need choice when it comes to software or hardware products." ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.