New EU Anti-Trust Ruling may force Apple to support Flash

EU’s European Commission, commissioner Neelie Kroes, is spear heading a new anti-trust initiative which could have far reaching consequences forcompanies like Apple.The new legislation, called the Digital Agenda, seeks to open closed platforms held by large technology companies to interoperability with third-party applications.The standing anti-trust laws in the EU are the same which were directly responsible for opening up browser choices on newly installed Windows operating systems.This new initiative is similar to the existing laws, except it wishes to change the wording of the companies it effects from the ‘dominant’ company in a market, to one which is ‘significant’.Apple have been evading previous attempts to open its system by claiming that it wasn’t the dominant manufacturer of smart devices in the EU.If the Digital Agenda initiative is approved, the EU will be able to force Apple to allow Flash on its iOS platforms. It is also likely to force Apple to allow third-party devices to sync with their iTunes program, including direct rivals such as Android smart phones, and Zune MP3 players.This level of openness goes against Apple’s walled garden ideals, but could see them potentially earning a lot of money. Competing developers will embrace the opportunity to sell their apps to the millions of iTunes Store patrons, and Apple can collect a healthy commission from each sale.What do you feel about this potential opening of Apple’s walled garden? Should large companies have to open their platforms because of their market dominance? We would love your thoughts and opinions.[Image: Rethink Wireless]