Tag Archive: Apple iPods

French lawmakers have given final approval to a proposed copyright law which could force Apple Computer and other digital media distributors to make their services interoperable with devices and technology from other developers and manufacturers. The vote was the last legislative procedure before the bill would become law, although a constitutional challenge against it was filed last week by France’s opposition Socialist party.

Although the current version of the legislation is significantly toned down from earlier versions put before the French Parliament months ago, the move is still drawing strong fire from technology groups, claiming the law will stifle innovation and possibly lead to major media distributors withdrawing from the French market altogether. Apple Computer famously described the original version of the legislation as “state-sponsored piracy.”  Read more...