France OKs bill opening iTunes, iPod
March 21, 2006 - 12:20 PST   French lawmakers approved an online copyright bill today that would require Apple to open the proprietary format behind its iTunes music store and iPod players, reports the Associated Press. "The draft law -- which also introduces new penalties for music pirates -- would force Apple Computer Inc., Sony Corp. and others to share proprietary copy-protection technologies so that rivals can offer compatible services and players," notes the story. French lawmakers approved the bill 296-193. The Senate must now debate and vote on the new legislation, which is expected to begin in May.

Apple has declined comment on the bill, or on rumors that the company may pull out of the French online music market altogether. "Under the bill, companies would be required to reveal the secrets of hitherto-exclusive copy-protection technologies such as Apple's FairPlay format and the ATRAC3 code used by Sony's Connect store and Walkman players," reports AP. "That could permit consumers for the first time to download music directly to their iPods from stores other than iTunes, or to rival music players from iTunes France."  [ Email this story ]

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