iTunes User Sues Apple Over Lock-In

GregChant writes "It seems like Apple can also be at the receiving end of a lawsuit, too: Californian Thomas Slattery filed suit against Apple because 'Apple has turned an open and interactive standard into an artifice that prevents consumers from using the portable hard drive digital music player of their choice'. With over 200 million songs sold, and Apple controlling over 80% of the hard drive digital audio player market, is this just a case of someone just trying to cash in on Apple's success? Or is this genuinely an issue of buyer lock-in and monopolistic practices?"

Comments

This is exactly why I don't have one!

[Ledfoot]

I have like 3 other portable MP3 capable players. When iTunes came out for Windows I was stoked, until I realized that everything I wanted to get from the service was AAC encrypted and locked and couldn't be converted to MP3. If I already have other MP3 players, why the heck would I want an iPod? I have NO need for an iPod. Therefor, iTunes is useless to me.

You know, I'm all for protecting the livelihood of artists (although I think they have WAY too much money) but this DRM stuff is getting rediculous! Why can't we just have regular old MP3's? They work, they're portable, and they're the only universal standard out there! ARGH.

So, basically, I say screw Apple. Allow us to convert to something playable on other players and MAYBE I'll join iTunes. Otherwise, I hope they lose this one big time.

And if they use the argument that they sell the iPod at a loss in order to get more iTunes subscribers, then how can they justify locking the format so it can't be played on other players?

Re:Bogus

[Moofie]

"Judge, I bought 400 gallons of diesel fuel, and NONE of it will work in my Honda Civic! MAKE Honda give me a new car that will work with the fuel I purchased because I'm an idiot and didn't anticipate my own future needs!"

What an idjit.