France DRM Law Gutted In Committee
Boing Boing reports that the French DRM legislation that would have forced Apple and other online music stores to have their songs be interoperable with all portable media players in France has been gutted in committee.
The original law was met by fierce criticism from Apple, who called the law "state-sponsored piracy." Many analysts believed that Apple would just as soon pull-out of the French market than to change their business model or allow free distribution of unprotected songs.
The latest version of the law removes the requirement for DRM publishers (like Apple) to give information needed for interoperability. In addition, "information needed for interoperability" used to be defined as being able to obtain a copy of the copyrighted material in an open standard; this is now defined as being able to obtain a protected copy of a copyrighted work.
The original law was met by fierce criticism from Apple, who called the law "state-sponsored piracy." Many analysts believed that Apple would just as soon pull-out of the French market than to change their business model or allow free distribution of unprotected songs.
The latest version of the law removes the requirement for DRM publishers (like Apple) to give information needed for interoperability. In addition, "information needed for interoperability" used to be defined as being able to obtain a copy of the copyrighted material in an open standard; this is now defined as being able to obtain a protected copy of a copyrighted work.
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76 months ago
Great news, I'm glad to see that they didn't rule against Apple in this case. It would have been a big pain in the ass for Apple to shut down the iTMS in France, yet keep it open in other European nations, so it's better this way. Plus, I would argue that they didn't really have solid grounds for this complaint anyway.
Well, now that this legal issue is resolved, Apple can focus more on the Apple Corps lawsuit... :eek: :cool:
Well, now that this legal issue is resolved, Apple can focus more on the Apple Corps lawsuit... :eek: :cool:
76 months ago
I was very 2 sided on this piece of legislation, sure it would have been bad for apple, but do we as consumers really want to be restricted into one DRM format? If done right this could have been the end of any for of monopoly of any DRM, but seems that that is now not the case... just hope apple doesnt pull a M$ on itself!!
76 months ago
Hey baseball fans!
It's the bottom of the ninth inning, Apple's in the outfield, and there are two outs with no one on base. Steve is pitching and is about to do another "Job" on the batter, Paul Somebody from London. Previously at bat for the Music Mad Hatters were The Music Companies and The French Legislature, who collectively earned the two outs for their team. "The Steve" as he is called by his adoring fans and teammates is best known for throwing his "Reality Distortion Field" fastball. The batter can't see it coming and by the time they swing, the ball is already WAY past them and it's too late for them to catch up. Even if the batter were to get a lucky hit that didn't go foul, Apple's ability to innovate from way out on the fringes of the field always gets the ball to first base before their runner can clear the bureaucratic and unCreative calls by their coaches to run straight to first base. A reminder for those of you just tuning in, the score is Apple - 1 Billion home runs and The Music Mad Hatters - nothing, but the visting team does get to go home with a hefty portion of the gate receipts as a consolation prize.
Welcome to the Diamond Apple Built
It's the bottom of the ninth inning, Apple's in the outfield, and there are two outs with no one on base. Steve is pitching and is about to do another "Job" on the batter, Paul Somebody from London. Previously at bat for the Music Mad Hatters were The Music Companies and The French Legislature, who collectively earned the two outs for their team. "The Steve" as he is called by his adoring fans and teammates is best known for throwing his "Reality Distortion Field" fastball. The batter can't see it coming and by the time they swing, the ball is already WAY past them and it's too late for them to catch up. Even if the batter were to get a lucky hit that didn't go foul, Apple's ability to innovate from way out on the fringes of the field always gets the ball to first base before their runner can clear the bureaucratic and unCreative calls by their coaches to run straight to first base. A reminder for those of you just tuning in, the score is Apple - 1 Billion home runs and The Music Mad Hatters - nothing, but the visting team does get to go home with a hefty portion of the gate receipts as a consolation prize.
Welcome to the Diamond Apple Built
76 months ago
I hate DRM, but I can see that without it there could never have been an iTunes Music Store.
I blame the pirates first, the RIAA second, and I don't blame Apple for having DRM. I do give Apple credit for making that DRM not be a pain to deal with, if we have to have it. (Although we don't... we can still buy CDs!)
I blame the pirates first, the RIAA second, and I don't blame Apple for having DRM. I do give Apple credit for making that DRM not be a pain to deal with, if we have to have it. (Although we don't... we can still buy CDs!)
76 months ago
It seemed a somewhat idiotic idea from square one, I thought.. Silly Pierre... :D
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