New York Times:
While Apple was preparing a splashy introduction for a new service that would stream music over the Internet for a fee, the attorneys general of New York and Connecticut were quietly investigating the Silicon Valley giant’s negotiations with music companies in search of potential antitrust violations.
The attorneys general wanted to know whether Apple pressured the music labels — or whether the labels conspired with Apple and one another — to withdraw support for popular “freemium” services offered by companies like Spotify in favor of Apple’s paid music subscriptions.
In response to the antitrust probe:
The first written response to the antitrust inquiry came from Universal Music Group a day earlier when the company’s legal firm, Hunton & Williams, sent a letter to the attorneys general. The letter said Universal Music Group had no agreements with Apple or music entities like Sony Music Entertainment and Warner Music Group that would impede the availability of free or ad-supported services.
The two attorneys general (New York and Connecticut) at the center of this probe were also at the center of the 2013 eBook price fixing investigation.
attorneys general, not attorney generals 🙂
I know you are right, but my mind rebels at that change. Made it anyway, but it took sheer force of will. 🙂
There are other anti trust activities going on in the US that have more ramifications than some stupid music service.
Every time I see “New York Attorney General”, I assume the associated investigation will be for the sole purpose of making the NYAG be seen to be doing something, rather than addressing any real issue.
This is true whether or not Apple is involved.