Norway has given a final date by which Apple must open up iTunes. If Apple does not make iTunes songs playable on music players other than the iPod, by October 1, the company will be taken to court. The case would first be handled by Norway "s Market Council, a special legal body that has the power to demand changes to contract clauses, and if appealed there, the case would move on to the ordinary courts. The courts could impose fines on iTunes until Apple makes the appropriate changes. Last June, Norway "s powerful ombudsman said iTunes violated Norwegian law which prompted other European countries to review the situation.
"They must make iTunes music compatible with other players than the iPod by the end of September, or we will take them to court. ITunes is imposing unreasonable and unbalanced restrictions that are not in accordance with Norwegian law," said the ombudsman, Bjoern Erik Thon.