Vodafone has slapped a restraining order on Deutsche Telekom over the sales practices German carrier of the iPhone, T-Mobile. Whilst claiming not to be against the exclusivity per se, Vodafone is questioning the fact that the iPhone only qualifies for certain price packages and tariffs. Vodafone Germany chief executive Friedrich Joussen claims he could have stopped sales altogether but was more interested in making it available for all price plans.
With the iPhone roll-out happening all over Europe, it looks like the French had the right idea. Since no carrier may reserve exclusivity for more than six months, Apple must release an unlocked device in France (although of course at a much higher price). Perhaps if the rest of the Europe introduced similar laws to protect consumer rights the sale of a coveted item wouldn't be held up by toys flung litigiously from the pram and the customer would be offered more choice, including any price plan they want.
[via Deutsche Welle]
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