France Can Whistle Its Own iTune…

AP reports: “French lawmakers approved an online copyright bill Tuesday that would require Apple to break open the exclusive format behind its market-leading iTunes music store and iPod players.”

“The draft law — which also introduces new penalties for music pirates — would force Apple Computer Inc., Sony Corp. and others to share proprietary copy-protection technologies so that rivals can offer compatible services and players.”

Leave it to the French.

Apple responds:

Apple Computer Inc. said a French copyright bill that would require music downloads to be playable on all portable digital players promotes piracy.

The French implementation of the EU Copyright Directive will result in state-sponsored piracy,” Cupertino, California- based Apple said late yesterday in an e-mailed statement. “If this happens, legal music sales will plummet just when legitimate alternatives to piracy are winning over customers.”

France might be better advised to worry about stimulating their economy and creating jobs, instead of screwing successful companies.

One Response to “France Can Whistle Its Own iTune…”

  1. Vent Says:

    Eh? It’s not like itunes keeps me from uploading downloaded music onto my ipod as it is…er..um.

    Just kidding!

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