Apple, Microsoft to be grilled over high prices

Representatives of three of the world's biggest IT companies will appear before a federal parliamentary committee today in Canberra (22 March 2013), as it investigates the pricing of their products, according to an article on abc.net.au.

Apple, Microsoft and Adobe will face questioning over claims their products for sale in Australia cost so much more than equivalent products overseas.

The investigation was set up after a long campaign by Labor backbencher Ed Husic, who has accused some information technology companies of "ripping off" Australian consumers.

Committee chairman Nick Champion says the inquiry has heard from many Australian consumers and organisations frustrated at the prices charged for digitally downloaded software, computer games, music, movies, and e-books.

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