Read here http://www.wired.com/news/politics/0,71287-0.html?tw=rss.technology
Sucks for the Frenchys when Apple pulls the ITMS store there.
Sucks for the Frenchys when Apple pulls the ITMS store there.
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French 'iTunes' Law Passed
- Thread starter edcrosay
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also posted here:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060630/ap_on_hi_te/france_itunes_law_5
As far as Sony's Connect you MUST have these requirements:
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.
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.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060630/ap_on_hi_te/france_itunes_law_5
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.yahoo article said:
As far as Sony's Connect you MUST have these requirements:
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...connect.com said:
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.
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.yahoo article said:
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.
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.
French 'iTunes' Law Passed
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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:
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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!
Now please, Apple, don't rest on your laurels!
HGW said:
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?
It sounds to me like the French are trying to have their cake and eat it too. They don't want to back down on the legislation that they had already begun to draft, but they also don't want to lose Apple's business, so they are making a loop hole specifically for Apple. In the end I think the law will be moot.
Ok then. It's almost like Apple is paying you money to spill out such absurd statements but there is one problem, they are not. All these people who are against this are crazy. I have to ask those people: What do you gain with Apple's propretary DRM? Nothing. Zilch. What would you lose with a universal DRM scheme? Nothing. If you want to remain using your iPod with iTunes, thats fine, it wont hurt you one bit. But at least you will have CHOICE.
You see the problem here is Apple is close to becoming a monopoly (if not already) with legal online music sales. The same kind of monoploy that Microsoft has with Windows. Now what would happen if with Vista Microsoft forced you to install Microsoft Office and you were not allowed to install any other office suite? If they banned all browsers but IE from running on Windows? If they barred all Media Players and you had to use WMP? No iTunes/Quicktime allowed on Windows, just the preinstalled WMP. If you had to use a Microsoft input device and any other brand like Logitech would not work? Outcry is what would happen with people going on TV and calling Microsoft the spawn of Satan and lawsuits popping up like killer bees from your worst nightmare. But with Apple's locking of iTunes and the iPod whoa, wait thats different, right? Cause Apples an angel and you know Apple's always right. Cause the French are evil now because they oppose Apple's music monopoly right? Ya just blame it all on the French when they are the ones standing up for you saying it's your music and you have the right to do what you please with it. How could you possibly insult the French government for actually standing up for consumers rights? But oh wait, they stood up against Apple. Whatever, I mean what else can I expect from a bunch of blind sheep.
It's simple. I want to be able to buy any MP3 player I please wether it be from Sony or Sandisk or Samsung or iRiver and be able to put songs purchased from the music store on any of them. Same would go vice-versa if I was stupid enough to be a blind sheep with zero self confidence in that I had to be like everyone else with the stupid white ear buds hanging out of my ears and I want to put songs purchased through say Napster or Connect on an iPod.
The thing is I have the right to choose and although I love iTunes, I will NEVER buy an iPod. It's like being forced to buy a Cinema Display if you brought a PowerMac or Mac Mini. It's like being forced to buy all your programs from Microsoft because Microsoft made the OS. I have the right to mix and match to my pleasing and no dimwit by the name of Steve Jobs will take that away from me.
gauchogolfer said:
i dont agree, im talking about buying music in general. what gives them a say in what we do with it,
apple understand that we want to buy and own our music. but we dont all want to buy and own an iPod. they are saying its not our choice, so really its a subscription service to apple music.
the french said if you buy music online its yours
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).
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).
Stella said:
Macrumors said:
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?
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?
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edit:
The Register has the same questions, its a dumb law.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/06/30/france_itunes_law_loophole/
finalcoolman said:
Oh lord.
There is nothing illegal or wrong about having a monopoly. The problems arise when a company uses it's monopoly status to unfairly hurt the competition. Which Apple hasn't and MS has. BTW, your "hypothetical" examples of MS abusing its power have already happened, basically, and it's why MS got taken to court in the US and Europe. Last time I checked there is nothing stopping me from using competeing digital players, jukebox software, and on-line music stores on a Mac.
The current state of iPod/iTMS is really no different than business model for video games. Can I play Halo on a PS2? Or how about Zelda on an Xbox? A PC copy of FIFA World CUP 2006 on a GameCube?
Lethal
[Sings a long, slow goodbye to iTMS France.]
This is wonderful. . . Apple has never done anything but fight for the consumer, if also for itself at the same time. Apple used their clout to stuff a bitter pill down the throats of the record companies all of which benefited the consumer. All of a sudden, Apple's evil for wanting to make sure that the end user experience of using its products is not tainted by the rot that infects half of the rest of the computer industry? Save it. Liberalist activism kills the proper operation of a free market. What the French are saying to apple is basically like the principle saying to a school, we're going to automatically tack 10 points on to the grades of all the dumb kids in the school. It's punishing Apple for working hard and being diligent in providing a product that consumers actually want. The sooner liberals, and soccer moms, figure out that for every person who succeeds, there also has to be one person who fails, the better off we will all be.
Now, call me a socialist or whatever you please.
This is wonderful. . . Apple has never done anything but fight for the consumer, if also for itself at the same time. Apple used their clout to stuff a bitter pill down the throats of the record companies all of which benefited the consumer. All of a sudden, Apple's evil for wanting to make sure that the end user experience of using its products is not tainted by the rot that infects half of the rest of the computer industry? Save it. Liberalist activism kills the proper operation of a free market. What the French are saying to apple is basically like the principle saying to a school, we're going to automatically tack 10 points on to the grades of all the dumb kids in the school. It's punishing Apple for working hard and being diligent in providing a product that consumers actually want. The sooner liberals, and soccer moms, figure out that for every person who succeeds, there also has to be one person who fails, the better off we will all be.
Now, call me a socialist or whatever you please.
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.
LethalWolfe said:
Or for that matter, why can't we run Mac OS X on PC hardware?
Naturally folks, I'm just kidding. I happened to have a PC with just the right specs to use the patched from 0sx86project.org, and I had a liscense from the copy of Tiger I was running on the Old G4, god rest its soul, that got hit by lightning. Patching an image of my Tiger install disk, and using it to install Mac OS X on this thing was a chore, but I must admit, This machine is a beast. Dual Core 3.8 Ghz Pentium D, if the nVidia Drivers supported the 7950X2, it would be perfect, but as it stands, it absulutely pummels the G5 in just about ever task I can think of running. Better stop talking 'fore this post gets moved.
Because Apple needs hardware sales to stay in business (their profit on software sales are pretty slim).SPUY767 said:Or for that matter, why can't we run Mac OS X on PC hardware?
Lethal