Brussels - Apple (NASD: AAPL) is close to settling charges it broke European Union rules by operating iTunes Stores with different pricing in different EU countries, and will likely announce steps it will take to resolve the matter this week, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the situation.

The EU is then expected to close its enquiry into iTunes pricing, which it launched in April 2007 after a British consumer group complained that the same song on iTunes cost $1.56 in the U.K., compared with $1.45 in France and other euro currency countries.

Neither a European Commission spokesman, nor a spokesman for Apple would comment for the Reuters story.

Related Links:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080108/tc_nm/apple_eu_dc_1 (Reuters)