> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Apple Music, Labels Did Not Collude To End Freemium, Says European Union Commission
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/apple-music-labels-did-not-collude-to-end-freemium-says-european-union-commisson/
- Published: 2015-08-10T09:25:56.000Z
- Updated: 2015-08-10T09:25:56.000Z
- Description: An EU probe, rumored to be motivated by Spotify, found no evidence that Apple Music and the major record labels conspired to end freemium music. Unlike Spotify, Apple Music does. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/08/apple-music-labels-did-not-collude-to-end-freemium-says-europe
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Major Labels, Music Business, Music Tech, Streaming, App Store (iOS), Apple Inc., Europe, European Commission, European Union, Federal Trade Commission, Free music, record label, Spotify, Streaming media, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:28

[![image from krazlaw.com](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb0860a482970d-150wi "image from krazlaw.com")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb0860a482970d-popup?ref=hypebot.com)An **EU probe**, rumored to be motivated by **Spotify**, found no evidence that **Apple Music and the major record labels** conspired to end freemium music. Unlike Spotify, Apple Music does not offer a free music option. 

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

[![Apple Music](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d146437a970c-150wi "Apple Music")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d146437a970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)

An European Commission probe into possible collusion between Apple and the major record labels to end the practice of freemium music found nothing, four sources tell [re/code](http://recode.net/2015/08/07/eu-finds-no-evidence-of-apple-and-music-labels-colluding-to-kill-free-music/?ref=hypebot.com). The EU regulatory body reportedly will continue to monitor the situation.

But a probe into restrictions and fees in Apple's popular app store, remains ongoing.

Apple's practice of charging 30% for all purchases withing the store has drawn particular criticism. A 30% fee effectively means that Spotify, Rdio and others charge 30% more for subscriptions through Apple than they do direct sales. That disparity has become particularly damaging to competition now that Apple has launched its own competing music service.

Related articles

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/356466058_80_80.jpg)](http://www.macrumors.com/2015/08/07/eu-no-evidence-apple-music-collusion/?ref=hypebot.com)[EU Inquiry Finds No Evidence Apple Colluded With Record Labels to End Freemium Music](http://www.macrumors.com/2015/08/07/eu-no-evidence-apple-music-collusion/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AU1mvW24kvuT5RhfvCdd_80_80.jpg)](https://business.yell.com/knowledge/how-voice-search-is-going-to-change-the-nature-of-seo/?ref=hypebot.com)[How voice search is going to change the nature of SEO](https://business.yell.com/knowledge/how-voice-search-is-going-to-change-the-nature-of-seo/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/354702526_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/making-free-work-hint-cannibalize-radio-not-sales/)[Making Free Music Work (Hint: Cannibalize Radio Not Sales)](https://www.hypebot.com/making-free-work-hint-cannibalize-radio-not-sales/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/354663178_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/apple-music-passes-10-million-users-in-less-than-1-month-report/)[Apple Music Passes 10 Million Users In Less Than 1 Month \[REPORT\]](https://www.hypebot.com/apple-music-passes-10-million-users-in-less-than-1-month-report/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/355497345_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/08/-this-week-in-music-commentary.html)[This Week in Music Commentary](https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2015/08/-this-week-in-music-commentary.html)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/354508496_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/antitrust-lawfare-breaking-out-by-google-and-spotify-against-appleusing-your-music-draft/)[Antitrust Lawfare Breaks Out: Google, Spotify vs. Apple](https://www.hypebot.com/antitrust-lawfare-breaking-out-by-google-and-spotify-against-appleusing-your-music-draft/)