A digital right of first publication bill winding its way through the French legislature may aim digital right direction technology like those used in Apple ’s iTunes Music Store and iPod offering . But psychoanalyst warn that the bill , if voted into law by the French Senate , could have far - reaching effects on medicine auditor in France — including the opening of online music services empty that country .
The proposed jurisprudence would involve DRM developers to reveal detail of their applied science to competition that wish to establish interoperable systems . The peak could affect the FairPlay DRM used by Apple in its iTunes Music Store and iPod euphony players , and Microsoft ’s Windows Media DRM . The French National Assembly O.K. the bill last calendar week , sending it to the Senate for a last vote .
“ It ’s unclear what the French government is trying to accomplish , ” said JupiterResearch frailty Chief Executive and research director Michael Gartenberg . “ If this is about interoperability , the iPod and iTunes is already interoperable . If the issuing is about selling DRM content or Apple get to provide the key to its Digital Rights Management to its competitor , then that ’s a whole other story . ”
Gartenberg points out that a exploiter only needs to cauterise buy Sung dynasty to a certificate of deposit and re - import them as MP3s to make them interoperable with any other software package or medicine role player .
Apple has gone to slap-up lengths since the orifice of the iTunes Music Store to block movement by shareware developers and company like Real from crack its DRM software . “ It ’s hard to opine that afford up the DRM will go over well with Apple , ” said Gartenberg .
It ’s not potential to go over well with the record companies that offer online music services with content , either . Even if companies like Apple were to follow with the propose law , record companies would doubtlessly desire some say in the issue .
“ If we are speak about the whimsey that no DRM is acceptable in France , then no digital euphony is run to be sold in France , ” read Gartenberg . “ The record companies are just not go to countenance that practice . We are talking about much larger issues than what does or does n’t befall with Apple . ”
Apple suggest as much in a statement toMacworld . “ If this happens , effectual euphony sale will plump just when legitimate choice to piracy are winning over customers,”the caller said . “ iPod sales agreement will likely increase as users freely load up their iPods with ‘ interoperable ’ music which can not be adequately protected . Free moving-picture show for iPods should not be far behind in what will rapidly become a state - patronise culture of piracy . ”
Not all analysts concord with that assessment . NPD Techword music director of diligence analysis Ross Rubin , for one , says he doubts Apple ’s title that the proposed law would “ open a up a whole young piracy Pandora ’s loge . ”
“ The true statement is , there is already a ton of piracy and those that want to get pirated music know where to get it , ” Rubin added . “ I do n’t think this jurisprudence would do anything for or against plagiarism . ”
Pointing to Apple ’s own program line that the fellowship could increase iPod gross sales , Rubin said Apple might consider stay in the market to take advantage on that possibility . However , with all factor weighed in Rubin said , “ It ’s ruffianly to say , but I think they might pull out . ”
