why was the price higher in the first place?

Phil Barnes, preston, england

The *origin* of the problem for "disparate pricing" in the various European countries have to do with two things (and neither of them with the Apple iTunes Music Store). It has to do with the varying copyright laws in the various European states. Until those are standardized with one another (as if the European community is *one state*) they will continue to be a problem.

And then secondly, it has to do with the various music labels negotiating different deals (for the various songs and groups) within the various countries of the European community.

As long as the music labels *continue* their disparate pricing schemes with the various countries in the European community, Apple will continue to have those same differing pricing schemes (and thus be saddled with the problems of such). This *originates* from the music labels and not from the Apple iTunes Music Store.

If the music labels persist in this, Apple will "standardize" by raising prices for everyone in Europe... LOL!!

Eliakim, Tulsa, OK, USA

why pay for them when there is lots of sites where you can download 4 free !

kevdoch, bradford,

a great day for consumers.

The European Commission now need to aim their fire on Abercrombie and Fitch who do exactly the same differencial pricing. UK consumers pay double what the rest of Europe do - when you order online.

James Rathburn, Twickneham, England

This is great news for the Chancellor of the Exchequer!

No doubt the drop in the cost of music downloads will cancel out the massive rises in energy costs in the CPI

K Jirackova, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear

How about a refund.

Farrukh, Woking, UK

People often criticise the record companies for the high price of music - I think this is unfair, given that Apple is now a bigger corporation than the "big 4" record labels put together, and given that Apple controls distribution of the labels' music. Apple's statement makes this clear too - they state that Apple will not foot the bill for this, reduced prices will be passed on to his suppliers, the record companies. Looks like the record companies are at most a convenient excuse for Apple's pricing policies.

Andrew, Zurich,

About time too. Once again the European Commission has done something for its UK members!

Peter Koumi, London , UK

It's fine for these big companies to squabble between themselves
to see who gets a bigger cut and how much more they think they can squeeze out of us, but it only pushes people back towards
the illegal downloads , which ultimately apart from being free is a lot easier.

serves em right

i say download free / illegal music until the big companies realise who is actually boss and sort out their prices

scott, London,

The Record companies can not have it both ways. They can not simultaneously rip customers off by charging them differing (but still excessive) amounts for indentical products in different regions, and then cry foul when consumers look to peer-to-peer networks to download music instead.

Dave , Reading, UK

Can someone please explain to me why, in so many ways, the UK is seen as a place where retailers can simply rip the proverbial out of the paying punter. The list of items that cost significantly more here is endless - cars, cd's, audio equipment, electronics and even blooming music downloads.
We always hear about the size of the US market explaining cheaper prices over there, but surely the European market is somewhat larger...so why, for example does an Ipod cost the same in dollars as in pounds?
Does the Government plan to do anything about this anytime soon. As of now, it's sole reaction is to frisk everyone coming off flights from the US in the hope of taxing them more!
Free market economy my bottom!

Johnny Mac, Glasgow,

oh well, maybe something to thank those corrupt bureaucrats in brussels for.....perish the thought!

jorge campos, brussels, belgium

While I own and love my iPod, I would still not buy from iTunes as it is way too expensive, locks you into iTunes using their Digitial Rights Management, iTunes loses those files occasionally after upgrades meaning you have lost your paid for files and uses an Apple version of compression and not standard MP3.

Its still much better to buy from Amazon and others.....

Paul, Toronto, Canada

If the record companies refuse to comply with the ultimatum, British music consumers may potentially find themselves unable to buy their songs on iTunes.

Are you kiding - this is as likely as consumers unable to buy their songs on iTunes because of the quantity of Zunes sold ?!?!

Andrew, Midlands,

Yeay! The first good thing I've ever heard of about Euro bureaucrats!
Thanks EU....

Victoria , London, UK