Dutch group postpones iPod levy
updated 01:00 pm EST, Thu November 30, 2006
iPod levy postponed
Dutch industry group SONT has postponed a looming expansion of an old levy that would include digital music players -- such as Apple's iPod -- and hard-disk video recorders. The group is instead electing to wait for the European Commission to make a recommendation. The tax would range from a few euros to tens of euros per electronic device, according to Reuters, and is designed to compensate artists for private copying of protected works. Opponents to the proposed levy, which was originally introduced on blank cassettes in the 1960's, claim it is outdated and has no place in the 21st century. Those adverse to the extended tax also say consumers already pay a copyright fee when they purchase music, and that they should not be forced to pay again when burning music or transferring it to an iPod or cellular phone.
