“Apple Computer Inc. said on Tuesday a proposed French law that would force Apple to make sure that songs bought on its iTunes music store can work on any portable player would result in ‘state-sponsored piracy,'” Reuters reports. “‘The French implementation of the EU Copyright Directive will result in state-sponsored piracy,’ said Apple spokeswoman Natalie Kerris. ‘If this happens, legal music sales will plummet just when legitimate alternatives to piracy are winning over customers.'”
“The new legislation would require that online music retailers provide the digital rights management software that protects copyright material to allow the conversion of music in one format to another,” Reuters reports. “But Apple said the law, which it opposes, would likely actually increase its sales of iPod music players. ‘iPod sales will likely increase as users freely upload their iPods with ‘interoperable’ music which cannot be adequately protected,’ Kerris said. ‘Free movies for iPods should not be far behind.'”
The bill must now go to France’s Senate for a second reading [expected to begin in early May], and a vote, before it becomes law.
Full article here.
[Thanks to MacDailyNews Reader “Too Hot!” for the heads up.]
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Related article:
French National Assembly approves digital copyright bill; could affect Apple’s FairPlay DRM – March 21, 2006