Apple Not Guilty In iTunes Lawsuit

Apple Won't Be Paying That $1bn iTunes Fine

Apple has been found not guilty of engaging in anti-competitive behaviour with iTunes and the iPod.

The 10-year case was based around a 2006 update to its iTunes software which reportedly blocked music that wasn't bought through Apple.

Once the update was installed only iTunes-bought content could then be played on Apple's iPod.

The lawyers that brought forward the case used emails from Steve Jobs which proved that the company was looking to exclude non-iTunes music from its devices.

Jobs wrote, "We need to make sure that when Music Match launches their download music store they cannot use iPod,"

Despite this the jury sided with Apple arguing that despite the exclusivity that came with it, iTunes 7.0 substantially improved the user experience and as such, was a necessary upgrade.

Had the jury found Apple guilty however it would have been looking at a fine of around $1bn.

Close

What's Hot