Top > Business > 2006 > June > 2006-06-26

France Takes on iTunes

France went ahead last week with plans to change the status quo vis-?-vis online music sales, opening up the possibility of lowered penalties for those who download songs without buying licensed versions online from a retailer such as iTunes. Basically, the original law sought to bring French copyright law in line with the wider European Union laws way back in 2001. However, the French National Assembly and Senate have also sought ways to not restrict the methods or programs that French citizens use to download songs from the internet.

At issue, more than simply just downloads, is the ability of those who download songs from iTunes to play those tracks on devices made by Apple?s rivals. Authorities in Norway, Denmark and Sweden have set August 1, 2006 as a deadline for Apple to explain just why it is that tracks downloaded from iTunes can only be played on Apple-made devices. Switzerland is also considering going after Apple, and Poland is opting for a slightly different approach that takes on digital privacy rights in general.

Apple, the creator of the iPod mp3 player and the iTunes program that goes with it, has called the French plan ?state-sponsored piracy?. According to Christian Vanneste of the French National Assembly and sponsor of the bill, ?Apple will need to change the way they do business in France. Apple?s business philosophy runs counter to the philosophy of this law and the direction of technology.?