From Bloomberg’s “Apple Would Have to Share Payment Tech Under Rules Mulled by EU” posted Friday:
The new laws would prevent mobile device manufacturers from limiting access to near-field communication technology embedded in smartphones and other devices such as smartwatches, according to documents obtained by Bloomberg.
The report is set to be unveiled next week by the European Commission as part of a package of policy proposals. It includes a footnote to a competition case launched by the European Commission’s antitrust arm in June, which is seeking to assess whether the iPhone giant unfairly blocks other providers from using the tap-and-go functionality on its smartphones.
“In parallel with its ongoing and future competition enforcement, the Commission will examine whether it is appropriate to propose legislation aimed at securing a right of access under fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory conditions [FRAND], to technical infrastructures considered necessary to support the provision of payment services,” the EU says in the document.
My take: Ironic. Apple’s usually on the other side of these fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory licensing cases, as in The Register’s “You’re not our FRAND any more, Apple tells Qualcomm.”
The problem with this inquiry is there is no common standard that mobile pay systems need to effectuate their transaction, other than Bluetooth, which is not controlled by Apple.
This is nothing more than another politically motivated grand stand.
And it’s more confusing. It’s my understanding that FRAND refers to royalty payments and the path would be adjudication not legislation.
And then would the commission propose laws for the EU and pre-empt all member states?
So, yes, grandstanding, nothing more.