French government endorsing DRM cracks so iTunes works on other players

The French government is about to pass a law that would allow consumers to use software that would crack Apple's DRM, so that songs downloaded from iTunes would work on other portable music devices. Interesting...the question I have is whether it's specified that this is for personal use only, and whether this will cause Apple to simply shut down iTunes for France.

Whatever happened with the sabre rattling in the Apple v RealNetworks DMCA stuff from a couple years back?

Hand it to the french for inventing the concept of the copyright and instigate its breakdown!!

Additional info

With all the competing issues in this new French law, it's a little confusing to figure out what's really going on.

-plb

Maybe drinking a few glasses of Chateauneuf-du-Pape will help clarify matters!

"DRM violations in France? I'm shocked! SHOCKED I say!"

This isn't the first time this issue raised it's little head with Apple, nor is it only the French

[thing is, the DMCA provided some implementation of WIPO agreemens...mainly TRIPS? (don't want to paint with too broad a brush there so grain of TRIPS salt) -- so it al sort of rolls into a bigger WIPO tortilla)

that's what the Real v Apple crap was about... is the "RE for compatibiity" provisions in 17 USC

Originally posted by EnemyofSilence "DRM violations in France? I'm shocked! SHOCKED I say!"

:D

Of course I am French! Why do you think I speak with this ridiculous accent!??!

(or is it outrageuous? I think it's outrageous --- despite being a huge geek, I was never one for verbatim Python quotage)

While I question the methods of the French government, I don't believe that music you pay for should be locked in one format. Isn't fair use an inherent concept included in the idea of copyrights?

I feel that this is more an issue of monopolies than of copy protection. I'm a big Apple fan but no way should music they distribute be locked to one device.

Originally posted by Philter

Isn't fair use an inherent concept included in the idea of copyrights?

 

Tough one, I'm not sure it would be inherent in the idea of copyrights, but may be more of a balancing doctrine to the idea of copyright.

 

I feel that this is more an issue of monopolies than of copy protection. .

 

While I can see that the issue may be "protectionism" , I don't think we'd have to have a monopoly structure for the protectionism to do what it does

DRM is evil, Vive Le France! Or La France! Or something?!

Good for them, this DRM bull{censored} has gone on long enough!!! No one would stand for a CD that can only be played on one brand of player (I've stopped buying them if they have any protection at all). How about records or cassette's, it's ridiculous!!!

Anyway, these arguments have gone around before, people will pay if they get what they are paying for, they're won't if they are continuously ripped off!!!

*BUMP*

UPDATE

Just thought you might be interested...!

Here is another update!

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1615

Apple blasts French bill aimed at opening iPod + iTunes

By AppleInsider Staff

Published: 09:00 AM EST

In its first public comment on the issue, Apple Computer blasted an effort by French lawmakers aimed at forcing the company to enable its iPods and iTunes Music Store to work with digital music products from other companies and vise versa.

In a statement republished by the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) early Wednesday morning, Apple said the French move will result in "state-sponsored piracy" by encouraging French users to seek out illegally copied music.

"If this happens, legal music sales will plummet just when legitimate alternatives to piracy are winning over customers," Apple said in the statement. "iPod sales will likely increase as users freely load their iPods with 'interoperable' music which cannot be adequately protected. Free movies for iPods should not be far behind in what will rapidly become a state-sponsored culture of piracy."

A spokesman for the Cupertino, Calif.-based company reportedly declined to comment beyond the prepared statement.

On Tuesday, lawmakers in the National Assembly, France's lower house, voted to approve the proposed law by a vote of 296-193. The legislation now has to be debated and voted by the Senate -- a process expected to begin in May.

Analysts who provide coverage of Apple speculated on Tuesday that the company might simply abandon the French market with its music products rather than comply with a law that could prompt similar efforts by other governments.

The methodolgy is a bit odd. Wouldn't it be a bit more on the level if they outlawed DRM outright rather than legally endorsing hacking software?

Alndln for French President!!!!!!!!

If I were Apple, I'd simply pull out of the market.

If I were Apple, I'd simply pull out of the market.

I suppose there coud be a variety of reasons (havn't seen the text of the Supposed French law -- sadly, don't speak French...I can order a Ham sandwich and fries and that' about it)

A couple of things that *may* factor in

-DRM restriction could be counter to WIPO treaties (dunno if it is, would have to take a look at that)

-The Law may not be legally endorsing 'hacking software' as such (it could, for instance, compell apple to share the DRM technology, possibly even as closed source)

-Writing the law as a proscription against use of DRM as a noncompetitive/unfair biz practice may more clearly define the intent of the law and still disallow illegitimate DRM cracking for instance