Computer giant Apple has backed the vast array of digital music player accessory designers establishing and profiting off the booming iPod.

A report in the Financial Times revealed yesterday that despite fears that Apple’s reluctance to license iPod technology could lead to its eventual downfall, quite the reverse appears to be occurring.

Apple said that the growing number of firms developing iPod accessories is actually helping its case rather than hindering it and is providing the iPod with a huge advantage over rival MP3 makers.

Piper Jaffray estimates that iPod owners are spending on average up to £10 on accessories, which has helped push the accessory market’s value to £65 million last year, a figure expected to more than double to £143 million this year and up to £200 million in 2006.

And this flurry of activity will only help Apple, according to sources.

Gene Munster, analyst at Piper Jaffray, commented: “Apple wants to create a universe of products around the iPod so that the iPod is the easy choice for consumers. They don’t want to stymie growth at this point.”

Leading iPod accessory developer, Belkin, revealed even more optimistic prediction figures for the iPod accessory market, suggesting that it currently stands at £133 million and could rise to £400 million by the end of 2005.