MANILA, Philippines – From 2007 to 2009, Apple removed music downloaded on some users’ iPods that came from rival music services, attorneys for consumers said on Wednesday, December 3. 

Lawyers told jurors in a class action antitrust lawsuit against Apple in Oakland, California, that this was facilitated through the use of an error message that asked users to restore their iPod to factory settings.

The reset, the Wall Street Journal reported, would lock out music from Apple’s rival services and make them disappear from the iPod.

Plaintiffs in the case said this was indicative of Apple’s stance against competition, stifling rival music players and online services. They are seeking $350 million in damages, claiming Apple’s actions forced them to pay more for iPods. 

Any damages under this suit could be tripled under antitrust laws.

For its part, Apple said its moves were legitimate security measures.

Apple security director Augustin Farrugia testified that Apple did not explain further because the company did not need to give users too much information. “We don’t want to confuse users.” – Rappler.com