Some sanity from the French Government.

[markb]

Well a sensible law at last regarding DRM, downloading, fair use etc and it came from the French.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4828296.stm

The French bill would let music fans download music to their iPods from services other than iTunes or to rival players from the French iTunes store.

It could force Apple into choosing between making its service compatible with rival players or shutting down its online store in France.

Perhaps in future when downloads are cheaper and more freely available piracy figures will actually start to drop. Of course there are alternative methods out there already if you know how but when 90% of iTunes customers struggle to turn on a PC (if my friends are anything to go by) then this can only be a good thing.

[shmokes]

Apple will close the French iTunes store.  It's as easy as that.  They ain't opening up their DRM.

[M3talhead]

France didnt take a stand for music listeners so much as they just surrendered to another group of individuals to keep from being "out-whined".

[Monkey]

I never thought i'd say this and it feels weird, but......... good on the french

yep i can beleive that Apple will shut the French Itunes down, but hwats stopping other countries passing a similar law? then if enough countries do it apple will be forced to do it or go out of business (with the ipod anyway) and dont forget the other companies that allow you to use their downloads on anyt MP3 player, their sales will go up and up etc.

i think its a win win for the consumer on this

[Dartful Dodger]

Apple should just send in one of their IT guys.  France will surrender to him within minutes.

[fredster]

It's odd to see "sanity" and "french government" used together in a sentence isn't it?

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyid=2006-03-23T180437Z_01_L23178518_RTRUKOC_0_US-FRANCE.xml&rpc=22

[Dartful Dodger]

The French are showing some backbone.

Steve Jobs may need to send in a whole graphics department.