French draft law threatens iPod's future

[derby378]

Apple Computer (AAPL) faces a serious challenge in France as lawmakers move to sever the cord between its iPod music player and iTunes online 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's Walkman players and Connect store.

Thanks to the massive success of the iPod models, which account for two out of every three music players sold worldwide, iTunes has become the global leader in online music sales. The iPod is currently designed not to play music from rival services.

According to the latest amendments, however, copy-protection technologies like Apple's FairPlay format and Sony's ATRAC3 must work with competing services and players. Companies that refuse to share all essential information with any rival that requests it would be ordered to do so by a judge, under threat of fines.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-03-17-apple-ipod_x.htm?csp=26

[Mass]

1. I have no pb with the law.

Why should people be obliged to buy songs on iTunes to download them on an iPod?

[dogman]

2. Don't stop there.

I want XM programming on my Sirius radio. I want Dish TV programming on my DirecTV receiver. I want Mac OSX on my Wintel computer. I want X-box games to play on my PlayStation.