Apple says yes to second European iTunes launch

Apple has confirmed that its second generation pan-European iTunes store will open this month.

ITunes has already opened its doors to the UK, France and Germany with country specific stores but Eddie Cue, Apple's vice president of applications said at the annual Popkomm conference that a new store will open to serve a greater range of western European countries. The names of the countries in question weren't given, however.

Steve Jobs, Apple CEO and silicon.com Agenda Setter, said at the launch of the UK iTunes store that the pan-EU shop download shop would use the same pricing as the French and German store – 99 eurocents a track – and be English language.

Apple was recently criticised by the Consumers' Association for its pricing structure which means UK music fans pay more than their European counterparts to buy the same track.

Phil Evans of the Consumers' Association said the group had reported Apple to the OFT on grounds Cupertino appears to be practising anti-competitive and discriminatory pricing structure.