“Apple’s problems in Europe look to be getting worse, not better. Following on the heels of France’s legislative push for DRM interoperability comes word that Denmark is thinking along the same lines. Reportedly, Maersk and the country’s largest telecommunications company, TDC, are speaking out in favor of such interoperability. Maersk and TDC are not only two of largest companies in Denmark, but they are amongst the largest and most powerful in Europe. Both also operate online music ventures,” Ken Fisher reports for Ars Technica.
“Brian Mikkelsen, the Danish Minister of Culture, said that legislation addressing the matter would be introduced in 2007. He expressed optimism that DRM interoperability would be backed by the various record labels who are eager to see legal alternatives to piracy flourish online,” Fisher reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Can’t compete? Try to legislate and/or litigate.
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Related articles:
Will Apple’s Steve Jobs bid France adieu? – March 22, 2006
Wired’s Kahney: Proposed French copyright protection law a good thing for consumers in the long run – March 22, 2006
Apple calls proposed French DRM law ‘state-sponsored piracy,’ predicts iPod sales increase – March 21, 2006
French National Assembly approves digital copyright bill; could affect Apple’s FairPlay DRM – March 21, 2006
What you (and others) want to do is to “mix-n-match.” Neither Apple, nor other music players/services, sell this as a consumer choice. You are limited in this aspect to some degree by all of them, despite “Plays For Sure.”
That’s the problem isn’t it? This will resolve that with ALL re-sellers of music.
Do you complain because you can’t get a Dell motherboard in a Gateway?
That depends on if I can put non-Gateway files, like Windows on the Computer… or hey, can I use non-Gateway Ram? Or a non-Gateway video Card… actually, does Gateway even MAKE their own Motherboards?
This list could go on and on. And, if you think about, ther are probably many other such things are much more important from a consumer standpoint, than something as ephmereal as DRM interoperability.
ephmereal? WTH? Ephemeral? Do you even have ANY idea of what you’re talking about? Come back when you have a greater grasp of English than a 6th grader… unless you’re in grade 6, that is.
And as was previously mentioned, MS should have to make all of the games that they create compatible with PlayStation II and Game cube and vice versa. After all, if the game I want is only compatible with some game console I don’t own, it’s a violation of my fair use rights that I now have to buy that console if I get that game.
Those Games were specifically created for this system. People don’t make music specifically as iTunes/ipod files.
Apple is a RE-SELLER!
Gee, pardon me for some typos. Get a grip folks.
FYI and FWIW, I’ve been running my own publishing business for nearly twenty years, have an Associates Degree, and IQ in the genius range. So yes, I not only have an idea, but I do know what I’m talking about.
I meant ephemeral as in fleeting or transient. IMHO, a perfect description of not just concerns about DRM interoperabilty, but about DRM interoperabilty itself. At least as compared to other, more important consumer concerns.
I’ll tell you something else…
The reason a few countries in Europe are doing this is to break the Apple (thus the US) domination in online music sales.
The EU is trying to develop it’s own trade empire to rival that of the US.
To accomplish this they are weening themselves off of Microsoft products and finding ways to disrupt the Apple’s buisness model with DRM lock.
It’s not about the compatability issue, it’s about the control Apple has using DRM.
After all, anyone can burn a cd and the music is liberated, free to be imported into any software or device.
So what’s the real issue?
Politics my friend, politics.
The EU see’s a Microsoft/Apple domination, money being sucked out of their economic empire and into the US, making us more powerful.
They want to change that and this is why they are doing this.
Dammit! I DEMAND Burger King Flame Broiled Patties on my Big Mac…
It’s just not fair 🙁
“Not so. Buying an iPod limits you to one choice (iTunes) as a download service. And buying from iTunes as a download service limits you to one choice (iPod ) as a music player.”
SO DON’T BUY ONE, YOU DUMBASS!!!
Nice to know EU politics are as screwed up as ours.
Apple can sell AAC music file only without Fairplay in this countries. There may be only 100,000 to 200,000 from independent artist just like e-music that way Apple does not have to license Fairplay to anybody. iPod can not play WMA any way so other online music stores have to start sell there music in AAC if they want to comprise with this law.
Most of other MP3 player can not play AAC either, so people who own this have to use iTune to converts their music because few media player would converts AAC to WMA.
There really is no hope for the Apple apologists on these forums. Sheesh.
nice!
will this also mean that from now on:
1. the danish state only will make public websites and services compliant to W3 standards so ALL platforms can access them? not limited to windows only anymore????
2. i can get EVERY piece of software i want to run on my Mac? even the windows only apps?
3a. i can play every game i like on every game-station, Mac or PC?
3b. i also can borrow Mac titles through the library… not the windows only versions as most often is the status quo today…???
4. i can access every bank from every platform i like? without special devices and with the same convenience as PC users?
5. i can see the clips the danish broadcasters have on their website through QuickTime or any other player i like? not limited to Windows Media, as currently is the case?
6. i can see web-TV and hear web-radio from the main broadcasters on my Mac through any player i choose?
7. i can buy every car i like for the same price the rest of europe pays for it???? not triple the price as is now: 180% tax and 25% VAT on top of it all….
8. i can pay the same taxes as the rest of the european union?
9. being a designer and an architect – my IP rights (copyright etc.) is going to be as well protected as the the music/film/software business????????????????? because this is clearly NOT the case at the moment in Denmark!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
10. my 4 kids will have access to a Mac at school (other than the four Lampshade iMacs they have reserved for video-projects-only in iMovie!) as they have at home and not be forced to be bothered with MS Windows anymore????
well… i think not.
fscking sad stupid socialistic danes… they will never learn.
and this Brian Mikkelsen guy is supposed to be more liberal???
NOT.
No worries…Once Apple shuts down the French store and more cars burn in the streets of Paris, the Danes will come to their senses.