There seems to be a fair amount of french bashing.. quite unfairly
Lots of countries have taxes on recordable media, including the US. Because the french have it, this makes only the french wrong?
Apple clearly think they are above french law.. which they are not. If you trade in a country, you have to abide by their laws, or don't trade at all. Whether the tax is fair or not irrelevent, you must abide by local laws.
I wouldn't be surprised if French order all iPods off the shevles. Then apple would rethink their position.
For all you US people... what would you think of an non US company refusing to pay US taxes? You'd probably say "who the f?ck do they think they are.. not paying US taxes" etc etc.
So, before French bashing, apply the apple case to your particular country and see how it fits then. Remember - you country probably has a TAX or levy on recordable media.