Apple changes terms and conditions

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Apple has agreed to change its terms and conditions following concerns raised by the Office of Fair Trading (OFT).

The OFT had indentified problems with the terms for customers when either buying directly from Apple or the iTunes store as well as when downloading software from the web.

It claimed that the terms went against the Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulation 1999.

As a result, Apple has conceded to change its current terms and conditions to ensure that they:

- do not exclude liability for faulty or mis-described goods.

- are consistent with consumer rights under the Distance Selling Regulations.

- are drafted in plain or intelligible language.

- do not potentially allow changes to be made to products and prices after an agreement is made.

“The contract or terms of use between a company and a consumer, whether they are found online or on paper, must be clear, fair and easy to understand," said Jason Freeman, legal director of the OFT’s Consumer Markets Group, in a statement.

“In particular, it is important that consumers are given clear and accurate information about their consumer rights in case things go wrong.”

“We have worked closely with Apple to secure these changes and we believe they will improve confidence and clarity for consumers.”

IT PRO contacted Apple for comment but a spokesperson said the company had nothing to add.

For more information on your rights contact the OFT’s Consumer Direct division on 08454 04 05 06 or visit its website here.

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