Leave it the French to go after monopolistic DRM.
[link|http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/060317/france_ipods.html?.v=3|French Lawmakers Move to Sever Ties Between iPod Player, iTunes Online Music Store]Apple Computer Inc. faces a serious challenge in France, where lawmakers have moved to sever the umbilical cord between its iPod player and iTunes online music store -- threatening its lucrative hold on both markets.
Amendments to an online copyright bill, adopted early Friday, would give rivals access to the hitherto-exclusive file formats at the heart of Apple's music business model as well as Sony Corp.'s Walkman players and Connect store.
o o o
According to the latest amendments, however, copy-protection technologies like Apple's exclusive FairPlay format and Sony's ATRAC3 "must not result in the prevention of the effective application of interoperability."
This is where international standards for formats make sense.
Alex
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