Apple sued over iTunes, iPod compatibility

updated 8:54 p.m. ET Jan. 7, 2008

LOS ANGELES - An iPod owner is suing Apple Inc., claiming it restricts consumer choice and has monopolized the digital music market because its popular line of music players and its iTunes online music store are not compatible with rival music devices.

The lawsuit, filed Dec. 31 in U.S. District Court in Northern California, seeks class-action status and is the latest of several that claim Cupertino-based Apple has an unfair grip on the online music market.

Lead plaintiff Stacie Somers of San Diego, identified only as the owner of a 30 gigabyte iPod, wants the court to order Apple to stop its allegedly anticompetitive practices and pay unspecified damages.

Calls to her lawyers were not immediately returned Monday.

Apple spokeswoman Susan Lundgren said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

Shares of Apple slipped $2.41, or 1.3 percent, to close at $177.64 on Monday.

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