APPLE PROVOKE NEW MOVES AGAINST UNFAIR PHONE CONTRACTS

It will almost certainly be a long drawn out fight but the EU is getting to grips with exclusive contracts for mobile telephones.

Apple have come up with the catalyst for what promises to be a roller coaster ride towards the aim of allowing all EU consumers to shop for the mobile phone of  their choice and the contract of their choice.

While the  focus is currently  on the practice of tying the new Apple iPhone to an exclusive contract the spin off will affect all mobile telephone brands tied to specific contracts.

Belgium is the one EU country that bans the sale of phones tied to contracts. The Apple iPhone can be sold in Belgium but always comes with a warning to buyers not, under any circumstances to upgrade the software. Doing so immediately locks the phone.

Describing the practice as “extremely dodgy” a European Parliament official told EU Reporter that “there is a growing consensus among MEPs that something needs to be done to support consumer interests”.

By only taking into account the “so-called” view of consumers, the Commission is instead only confusing European citizens, who will be subject to an abundance of information printed on food packaging.

The current system relating to auditor’s liability needs to be reformed, the accounting profession is arguing. The calls come as momentum is gathering across the EU for change to be implemented.

Climate change presents both “a major threat and a major opportunity” to small businesses, industry figures insist. However without proper legislative support, many SMEs could find themselves going out of business.