French 'iTunes' Law Passed

[edcrosay]

Read here http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0...rss.technology

Sucks for the Frenchys when Apple pulls the ITMS store there.

[TheFallGuy]

also posted here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060630/...e_itunes_law_5

Originally Posted by yahoo article

...Currently, songs bought on iTunes can be played only on iPods, and an iPod can't play downloads from other stores that rival the extensive iTunes music catalog from major artists and labels — like Sony's Connect and Napster....

The iTunes on my computer accepts quite a few common file extensions to be played on it, as long as I direct the it to the proper folders (usually I just put them in the iTunes folders to save the hassle and mess). In addition to that, my iPod plays some of the common extensions. As far as purchased songs from iTunes, I can't vouch for putting them onto a different player because I don't have anything other than an iPod. But if I want I can always burn them to CD and then transfer them to other formats if needed.

As far as Sony's Connect you MUST have these requirements:

Originally Posted by connect.com

We appreciate your interest in the Connect music store, but our store currently only works with Internet Explorer 5.5 and above. You don't seem to be using that particular browser at the moment, so, unfortunately, we'll have to part ways until we support the browser you're currently using or you upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer. Please click the Download link below if you'd like to upgrade now.

Thank your for your interest in the Connect music store!

System Requirements

# Microsoft® Windows® 98 SE, ME, 2000 or XP
# Minimum of 500 Mhz processor
# Minimum of 400 MB available hard disk space
# Minimum of 128 MB RAM
# Internet Explorer 5.5 or later
# CD-ROM drive (for installation and import or playback from CD)
# Supported CD-Recordable drive (for CD burning purposes)
# Internet Connection (broadband suggested)

Note: Administrator privileges required for installation on PCs running Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Home Edition.

I tried using both Safari and Firefox to reach their page and this is what it pulled up immediately. If that isn't exclusive then...

Which makes me wonder why they are just targeting Apple. Why don't they go after Sony also? I can't even get to Sony's sight to see what file extensions they use or to evaluate whether or not I would like to use their service. Apple on the other hand is accessable to Mac and Windows.

Originally Posted by yahoo article

...It also maintained a loophole introduced by senators, which could allow Cupertino, Calif.-based Apple and others to dodge the data-sharing demands by striking new deals with record labels and artists....

So all Apple really has to do is go back to the artists and try to leverage a deal with the artists. But I doubt artists would want to make themselves exclusive to only iTunes - they want to hit as many markets as they can while still making a buck or two off their work - and that is their right.

I guess, from my point of view I see that the French are unfairly attacking only one provider without addressing the inadequecies of the other providers. It smells like rotten cheese to me.

[baleensavage]

I don't believe that the French are targeting Apple in particular. I belive that the media is doing that. The law encompasses all media content providers so everyone from Sony to Napster to Apple are probably going to be targeted. The media, who loves to trample Apple any chance they get, sees Apple as having the most to lose from this since they have such a high market share, therefore all articles about this subject are in reference to Apple in particular. It would be like if they made a law restricting fast food restaurants, you can bet McDonalds would be in the headline of every article.

[Stella]

They are not specifically targetting Apple - it applies to all.
:-\

They only mention Apple because it has the largest market share...

Originally Posted by baleensavage

I don't believe that the French are targeting Apple in particular. I belive that the media is doing that. The law encompasses all media content providers so everyone from Sony to Napster to Apple are probably going to be targeted. The media, who loves to trample Apple any chance they get, sees Apple as having the most to lose from this since they have such a high market share, therefore all articles about this subject are in reference to Apple in particular. It would be like if they made a law restricting fast food restaurants, you can bet McDonalds would be in the headline of every article.

[HGW]

these french policies are brilliant

if an oil supply company said you can only fill up your car from here if its a mercedes, there would be a public outcry.

iPod is cool but apple DONT TELL ME WHAT TO PLAY MY MUSIC ON

[gauchogolfer]

Originally Posted by HGW

these french policies are brilliant

if an oil supply company said you can only fill up your car from here if its a mercedes, there would be a public outcry.

iPod is cool but apple DONT TELL ME WHAT TO PLAY MY MUSIC ON

When you buy music from iTMS, you know exactly what you're signing up for. The car/gas analogy doesn't make sense here. It's more like, why does Toyota make me buy Toyota-brand parts to keep my warranty valid?

[danny_w]

They mention Apple because Apple refuses to license their DRM to anybody else, so nobody can make a player that will play protected iTMS music. Microsoft, on theother hand, will gladly license their DRM to anybody that wants it, including (I suspect) Apple.

So we have purchased iTMS content that cannot be played on anything except an iPod or iTunes (yes, I know the workarounds, but I'm talking DRM here), and we have iPods that can play most formats except for protected WMF (or whatever they call it). So Apple gets it going both ways. I don't agree with the French law, but I can understand how it applies mainly to Apple (although techically it applies to everybody).

Originally Posted by Stella

They are not specifically targetting Apple - it applies to all.
:-\

They only mention Apple because it has the largest market share...

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Several media outlets are reporting on the passing of the French copyright law which aims to force companies to open their digital rights management formats to other companies.

The law was first reported in March and sparked speculation that Apple could potentially withdraw iTunes from France.

A softened version of the law later passed the French Senate. In the revised version, they provided a potential loophole for Apple's music service:

A new regulatory authority will have the power to order companies to license their exclusive file formats to rivals on request -- but only if the compatibility restrictions they impose are "additional to, or independent of, those explicitly decided by the copyright holders."

This means Apple may have to negotiate these specific terms in the contracts with their content providers, potentially giving content providers a bit more negotiating power.

[dizastor]

This is amusing to me. First we fight piracy and search for a workable DRM solution. Apple solves the problem and builds a business model around it. Then when it becomes successful we need to "open-up" the DRM so that others can profit from our success.

So, in summary, go after the people stealing music, and then also go after the people who find the best solution to legally sell music. Seems like a win win situation for the attorneys.

[ccunning]

This should also enable the French to use a subscription service such as Napsters with their iPod right. That is something I would personally find usefull, although I would prefer Apple offer a similar service.

[angelwatt]

These French politicians might as well jump into this hole they've dug themselves because I doubt Apple will play their games. Wonder if Apple will even bother responding to this or just walk away quietly.

[boncellis]

I'm impressed with the combination of iTunes' ubiquity and quality overall. When the iTMS came out and the deluge of imitators followed I feared for its continued success. I suppose those fears were unwarranted, but I wanted Apple to remain the market leader because they innovate like only a few computer companies dare. Now that its success has influenced the hallowed halls of the Estates-General, it is quite the coup.

Now please, Apple, don't rest on your laurels!

[Les Kern]

Originally Posted by greenmonsterman

So, in summary, go after the people stealing music, and then also go after the people who find the best solution to legally sell music. Seems like a win win situation for the attorneys.

Exactly.
I hope they ask Microsoft to open THEIR proprietary formats.... sure.
For now I think it should be:

Le iTunes - Juste à travers le cadre en l'Allemagne, la Belgique ou Espagne!

[gauchogolfer]

Originally Posted by Les Kern

Le iTunes - Juste à travers le cadre en l'Allemagne, la Belgique ou Espagne!

Je suis plus proche à l'Italie... I think that will work as well

[Bonte]

Originally Posted by Macrumors

This means Apple may have to negotiate these specific terms in the contracts with their content providers, potentially giving content providers a bit more negotiating power.

Maybe so but who are these 'copyright holders'?

Here in Europe the copyright stays with the artist and the labels have an exclusive publishing right but not the copyright. So is Apple (and MS) to re-negotiate with the artists or the record labels? Do the labels need to make adjustments to there artist contracts? Can any artist sue Apple or his label over this? What about rented music?
?
?
?

edit:
The Register has the same questions, its a dumb law.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/06..._law_loophole/

[hondaboy945]

I wonder why there is so much negativity in relation to this topic. Whatever the outcome, someone is getting screwed. If Apple's hand is forced, it might pull ITMS out of France (France loses, and so does Apple). If Apple gets to keep its DRM private (Those people who do not like the IPod lose). Either way someone will lose. If Apple loses too much money over this garbage there goes some really cool innovations in the computer world, because they will have less money to do things with. Just my 2 cents.

[SPUY767]

Originally Posted by hondaboy945

I wonder why there is so much negativity in relation to this topic. Whatever the outcome, someone is getting screwed. If Apple's hand is forced, it might pull ITMS out of France (France loses, and so does Apple). If Apple gets to keep its DRM private (Those people who do not like the IPod lose). Either way someone will lose. If Apple loses too much money over this garbage there goes some really cool innovations in the computer world, because they will have less money to do things with. Just my 2 cents.

Didn't you just answer your own question? That's why everyone is pissed. Because the French have managed to write a law that simultaneously screws everyone!

[EagerDragon]

It is time to pull out and see what the goverment will do. They are sure to get presure from the public.