Antitrust
authorities in Europe failed to find evidence that Apple Inc's (AAPL.O)
deals with record labels and online music streaming services are blocking
rivals' access to its music streaming platform, Re/code reported, citing
sources.
The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union,
started an investigation in April and had sent out questionnaires to several
record labels seeking information about their dealings with Apple.
The investigation did not turn up evidence of any illegal activity, but
the European Union will continue to monitor the market, the report said, citing
sources.
The regulators are also seeking information from Spotify and other music
streaming services on the restrictions Apple places on apps offered through the
store, Re/code said, citing people familiar with the situation.
Apple in June launched a new music streaming service, Apple Music. It also provides the
App Store platform for competing streaming services including Jango, Spotify,
Rhapsody and others.
Reuters reported in July that U.S. government antitrust regulators were
also looking into claims about whether Apple's treatment of rival streaming
music apps is illegal under antitrust law.
Apple, the European Union and Spotify were not immediately available for
comment outside regular U.S. business hours.
(Reporting by Anannya Pramanick in Bengaluru; Editing by Leslie Adler)
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