The Norwegian Consumer Council, which complains Apple and its iTunes music store acts illegally under Norwegian law, has reacted cautiously to Steve Jobs' letter calling for an end to Digital Rights Management.

The Norwegian Ombudsman ruled in favour of the consumer council complaint last month. Germany and France both support the Norwegian action.

But while his comments are generally welcomed by the Ombudsman, although the regulator points out that he cannot just blame the record companies.

But Forbrukerradet, the Norwegian Consumer Council, said: "It's quite clear that the record companies carry their share of the responsibility for the situation that the consumers are stuck in. However, no matter what agreements iTunes Music Store have entered into, they're still the company that's selling music to the consumers and are responsible for offering the consumer a fair deal according to Norwegian law."

A spokesman for Forbrukerradet told The Reg: "Firstly we're very happy he's come out and made a statement, it shows they're taking this issue seriously. But secondly we see it as a strategic move to shift the issue to the record labels. iTunes is the record store which sells music to Norwegian consumers as such they have to follow Norwegian law. It's not good enough to say they have problems with suppliers and their hands are tied."

Apple has until 1 March to come up with a solution to concerns about its terms and conditions and DRM. It then has until 1 October to show it is implementing that solution or it will be brought before the Marketing Council.

Jobs' letter is here and there's more on Forbrukerradet's complaint here. ®

Related stories

• EU consumer chief roasts Apple (12 March 2007)
• Interview Kohn on Jobs (27 February 2007)
• EU Directive removes copyright exceptions for schools (12 February 2007)
• EMI set to drag majors into DRM-free future (9 February 2007)
• Jobs calls for DRM-free music world (6 February 2007)
• Dutch consumer chief puts Apple through the mill (25 January 2007)
• Apple DRM illegal in Norway: Ombudsman (24 January 2007)
• France and Germany join anti-iTunes crusade (23 January 2007)
• Norway knuckles down for long iTunes fight (3 August 2006)
• iTunes guilty of breaking Norwegian law (7 June 2006)