Apple speaks on softened French bill
updated 12:50 pm EDT, Fri June 23, 2006
Apple on French draft law
Despite French lawmakers' agreement on a softened version of the draft law which threatens Apple's iTunes Music Store, the Cupertino-based company voiced discontent regarding the amended version of the bill. "We are awaiting the final result of France's legislative process, and hope they let the extremely competitive marketplace driven by customer choice decide which music players and online music stores are offered to consumers," Apple stated following the vote. This constitutes the strongest hint yet that Apple could withdraw its French iTunes store rather than comply with the bill, according to the New York Times. The amended law currently stands to offer record companies more leverage in their battle with Apple over fixed song pricing, which the iPod-maker has managed to maintain despite threats and complaints from labels.
:-)
06/23, 03:03pm reply
Its only France. BuhBye
l008com
Professional Poster
Joined: Jan 2000
How will this . . .
06/23, 07:43pm reply
. . . affect French iTunes users? Will their downloads be unusable, and if so will they receive refunds? There are many questions to be answered here. It is not as simple as "will they stay or will they go? stay, go, stay go."
This may be a messy process, either way the cookie crumbles.
jrbm689
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2005
Re:How will this
06/24, 12:26pm reply
Uh, do you know how pay per download works? It is not a subscription. The songs will continue to be playable and they can always backup the songs to audio and data CD/DVD.
aristotles
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Re:Re:How will this
06/24, 04:12pm reply
I think the concern is in the authentication. If I am in France and buy a new Mac will I be able to authorize my new computer to play my music if I dont have access to the store?
unity@mac.com
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2005
Abandon them!
06/24, 07:41pm reply
The French suffer under a socialist government where true competition is not allowed to flourish. That is why unemployement is so high and the economy continues to wither. Let them stew in their own juices. In America, we thrive under capitalism run its course.
They pass laws saying it is in the interest of the people. But they really pass laws that protect their local industries and shield inefficient local businesses against world competition. They are hopeless.
tedgrigg
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Dec 1999
the solution is simple
06/25, 12:42am reply
As long as Apple will agree to offer the other player manufacturers an opportunity to buy a license for the DRM they will have no problem with the new french law.
The other manufacturers can choose whether or not to but the licenses which will open their players to itunes.
The DRM is only there in the first place because of the record companies.
brinj
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Sep 2001
Well..
06/25, 08:56pm reply
I think apple needs to focus on more pressing issues, such as being able to sell certain hardware products in france. Then take care of the iTunes thing, which will obviously take much longer.
Fast iBook
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2003
good for apple
06/27, 05:53pm reply
I'm glad. The new vesrion of the law abandons the strong anti-DRM stance, and instead strengthens the position of DRM. While Apple's motivations are clouded (indeed, positively curdled) their actions are useful.
resuna
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2005