France 'force' Apple opens iTunes to iPod

France is drafting a law that forces Apple Computer to open iTunes online music service to allow users to download songs and listen to them on different devices, instead of just adapting them to the popular iPod.

The bill will be voted by members of parliament by next Thursday, whereby users will be able to use the software to legally convert digital content to other formats.

If the iTunes music store is only compatible on the iPod, will the users be disadvantaged?

If this happens, unlocking encryption that is considered illegal will no longer last. Encryption methods to protect copyright music, movies or other content will be "removed" - when we can intervene to convert from one format to another. Mr. Christian Vanneste Papporteur, a member of the French Parliament, specializes in legal advice.

" This law will regulate" opening up "some old capital systems that are now monopolized . Users can download content and listen to music, watch movies on their personal devices, " Mr. Vanneste replied. Reuters interview by phone.

For a long time, music downloaded on Apple's iTunes music store is still available only on iPods.

The law, if approved, could cause Apple 's iTunes store to "struggle", some experts in the field said.

On the Apple side, the company representative in France and Britain declined to comment when asked about the event.

The law being discussed will also mean that other online music distributors like Fnac (under PPR) will have to release copyrighted songs from iTunes on the website in a "ready" state. Convenient for users.

Vaneste argues that the draft law aims to combat monopoly, encouraging the growth of online digital music market in France and making profits for online music distributors.

The recording industry in France has lost 8% in the past year, while the digital music business has increased 5 times. The activity reached 5.3% (equivalent to 259 million USD) in Universal Music Group's 2005 total sales, the world's largest record label, held by France's Vivendi Group.

According to the first new draft, the illegal content downloader will have to pay a fine of 38 euros, and if they transfer illegal products to others, they will be fined 150 euro. People who design and sell software to share music files and illegal content are subject to a maximum fine of 300,000 euros and imprisonment of up to 3 years.

Police departments are obliged to control music exchange websites and retrieve the beneficiary's email address by retrieving information from the internet service provider, and prosecuting it in court.

The law will also raise the issue of protecting copy of legitimate downloadable content, but personal copies can be limited and validated. DVD releases may also be included in the law, Vanneste said.

Wen Marc Guez, president of the French Music Producers Association (SCPP), will not take effect until June 2006 because of the need for parliamentary council members.

Duy Hiep