The EU has launched an inquiry into what Apple’s online music store iTunes charges users across Europe, accusing it of restricting customer choice, resulting in higher prices for some consumers.

The EU is considering whether agreements between Apple and record companies violate EU laws by preventing users in one country buying music from a site elsewhere.

Apple establishes customers’ country of residence through their credit card details and only allows people to buy tracks from the website for that country. As a result, iTunes users in one part of the EU may be forced to pay higher prices than in another area.

“Consumers can only buy music from the iTunes online stores in their country of residence and are therefore restricted in their choice of where to buy music,” said EU competition spokesman Jonathan Todd.

According to Apple, it would prefer to offer a pan-European service, but is restricted by its music partners from doing so.

via BBC NEWS