Advertise On EU-Digest

Annual Advertising Rates

3/20/06

FT.com - France drafts copyright law to open up iTunes by Tom Braithwaite

For the full report go to FT.com

France drafts copyright law to open up iTunes by Tom Braithwaite

Apple Computer could on Tuesday be forced to open up its digital music business to competitors after a vote in the French parliament.The owner of iTunes, the online music store, and the iPod digital music player, will have to choose between making downloaded music compatible with rival platforms or pulling out of France if, as expected, the parliament in Paris approves a draft copyright law.

Software in digital downloads from iTunes prevents music being played by any rival to the popular iPod, but the French bill seeks to impose “interoperability” on online music stores and break Apple’s closed system.

No comments: