So, Apple Inc have met this week's deadline to respond to concerns raised by the European Commission regarding the pricing structure of the iTunes service across Europe, but Universal Music has asked for another ten days to submit its response.
As previously reported, the EC issued a formal 'charge of concerns' against Apple and the major record companies regarding iTunes pricing earlier this year. The concerns centre on the fact that consumers in Europe can only buy music via their local iTunes Music Store, and are prevented from buying music via iTunes stores in other European territories.
This is a particular problem for us in the UK where tracks retail for 79 pence each, compared to the 99 euro cents per track price point elsewhere in Europe (about 67 pence). Some European officials argue that, as consumers in the European free market, UK music fans should be allowed to use other European iTunes Music Stores in order to secure a better price.
iTunes and the four majors had until this Wednesday to respond to the EC's concerns. Officials have confirmed that they have received a formal response from Apple, and that Universal have been given an extension until the end of next week to make their response. It is not known if the other majors have responded.
Officials may rule that their concerns have been satisfied by the five formal responses alone, or they may decide the matter needs more investigation, which would mean execs from the five affected companies having to present their case to EC competition regulators. Apple are expected to say they are forced by the major record companies to operate a system that stops UK customers buying music from other European iTunes Music Stores at cheaper prices.