Will France crack Apple DRM?
p2p news / p2pnet: "No other country in the world has discussed the issue of sharing files over the Internet as much as France," Pascal Regard, director general of the Society of Authors and Dramatic Composers, a French organization with roots dating to 1777, is quoted as saying in the International Herald Tribune.
"I suppose that as the inventors of copyright, it is not surprising that we take the lead in exploring the implications on the Internet."
What began in 2005 as an effort by France to ratify the European copyright standard could now produce, "some of the weakest penalties in the world for Internet music piracy – the equivalent of a parking ticket," says the story.
"In France, they are talking about changes that are more radical than what has happened in the U.K. or anywhere else in Europe," it has London lawyer Denis Potemkin saying
"Some of the changes under discussion would force the content industry to rethink their business models."
And Apple, which uses its seriously misnomered CRAP FairPlay DRM to ram punters into line – its line – will be among those compelled to do so.
"France is pushing through a law that would force Apple Computer Inc to open its iTunes online music store and enable consumers to download songs onto devices other than the computer maker’s popular iPod player," says Reuters.
"Under a draft law expected to be voted in parliament on Thursday, consumers would be able to legally use software that converts digital content into any format. It would no longer be illegal to crack digital rights management – the codes that protect music, films and other content – if it is to enable to the conversion from one format to another, said Christian Vanneste, Rapporteur, a senior parliamentarian who helps guide law in France."
The move could push Apple and Microsoft into a "digital detente," says Macworld. "The fact that songs bought from iTunes won’t work on devices powered by Microsoft and that Microsoft Windows Media songs won’t play on an iPod has been subject to criticism.
"Some critics state that the lack of interoperability between the two firms and their competing standards is holding the digital music industry back."
Meanwhile, March 16 has been set as the day the French Parliamentary debate is slated to end, says the Thomas Crampton’s excellent Herald Tribune report. A vote would follow soon after, and the results could become law within weeks of passage by the French Senate, whose vote is set for early May, he says, adding:
"No matter what the exact outcome, those distributing music or videos within France will almost certainly face a different landscape, said Xavier Buffet-Delmas, the partner at the Freshfields law firm in charge of the intellectual property practice in France.
"Buffet-Delmas said that, even if iTunes songs could be downloaded to any player, Apple could maintain a digital music business.
"But a government mandate that all systems be able to operate together and a slap-on-the-wrist approach to piracy would force Apple and others to work harder to attract and keep customers."
The underlying business model for platforms like iTunes might not be undermined,"But anyone selling music over the Internet in France will certainly need to adapt to a radical change of environment."
And of course, any French disconnection of Apple’s CRAP will echo loudly in the rest of the world.
Stay tuned.
Also See:
International Herald Tribune – Will France, birthplace of copyright, go soft on piracy?, March 13, 2006
CRAP FairPlay DRM – Apple and its C.R.A.P., March 4, 2006
Reuters – French plan would open iTunes to other devices, March 13, 2006
Macworld – Apple may be forced to open up iTunes, March 14, 2006
March 14th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
CRAP is what passes as logical thought in this story. You really believe letting (a) government define business models is a good idea? This is not a closed market, you have choices. Market pressure will eventually force a standard. Untill then vote with your pocketbook. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it.
March 14th, 2006 at 9:34 pm
Who thinks that Apple will have a choice here?
They don’t dictate DRM – thats a function of the distribution contracts they have with the record companies.
This is another brilliant move by France to ensure that it remains a cultural island, listening only to French content.
March 14th, 2006 at 11:13 pm
I for one think it is fantastic that for once a government is recognising that copyright law is about balancing artists (read Mass Media Corporations) and consumers rights – for too long things have been too heavily weighted toward them – no one has been looking after our interests. The market will not sort this out on its own and why the HELL should we wait for pigs to fly – this legislation sounds to me just like the answer we have been looking for – well its second best to chucking DRM altogether – a step in the right direction.
March 15th, 2006 at 11:45 pm
A few minutes ago, France just entered into history by being the first country in the world who voted it’s own “Induce act”, despite the opposition of all the other political parties than the one of the governement.
Developping and promoting – this includes putting links to – softwares allowing un-DRMed uploads on the internet – whatever the protocol – will be pubished by a fine of 300.000 euros ($350.000) and 3 years in jail.
This governement is disgusting.
P.S. : Don’t think the french do support their governement – the present governement is the most hated one we had for 40 years as public opinion polls show.