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Apple Sued in France for iPod Music Royalties

Posted by pudge on from the seems-fair dept.

alex_guy_CA writes "A musicians rights group in France is suing Apple Computer for back royalties due from iPod sales. It seems in France, all CDs, hard drives, and the like owe musicians money in case any of it is used for piracy. Only Apple isn't paying up." I want compensation from sales of Microsoft Windows just in case it is used for spreading viruses.

5 of 818 comments (clear)

  1. no suits from the suits? by thf · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "It seems in France, all CDs, hard drives, and the like owe musicians money in case any of it is used for piracy."

    Does that mean that organizations like the RIAA are prohibited from suing music downloaders because the musicians have already been paid by the state (perhaps through some industry group), or is this just a tax?

  2. Re:We're #2! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Ahh see but in France they're not actually paying the tax while in Canada they are. I sure paid my $25 extra for my iPod last month and they clearly label that (bright red letters...yup).

  3. Humm, slightly inaccurate here too. by GMontag · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The deal is not It seems in France, all CDs, hard drives, and the like owe musicians money in case any of it is used for piracy. The deal is stated in paragraph two:

    The argument centers on a fee levied in France on sales of blank CDs, tapes, hard disks and other hardware that can be used to copy music. The proceeds go to musicians and other rights holders who lose money to piracy.


    Even that sounds like a reach. Their system is like that used in other nations where there is a fee on media that goes to artists no matter if their work is illegally copied or not.

    The question that the article does not answer is if all/any HDD manufacturers pay the fee already. Guess what? If the fee was already paid by the manufacturer then Appled paid the fee already when they bought the drives. Not saying that is the case, but it is something to think about. Also, if no HDD manufacturer pays this fee then the threat is just as stupid as it sounds on the surface.
    --
    Eve Fairbanks says I drive a hybrid!LOL
  4. Re:I don't agree with the law by dave420 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    "can't see a USA company getting much sympathy in France"

    Not all countries work the same way as the US. European countries know about international diplomacy and don't take everything personally. Prime example: When bird flu was found in Delaware and the EU banned imports of US poultry due to safety concerns, the US "retaliated" and banned certain European imports. How on earth you can retaliate over a safety matter is beyond me. Is Europe supposed to import the infected chicken so they don't upset the US?

    This isn't a dig at Americans or the US, but rather the seemingly childish attitude the US has towards international relations. It seems the US is only prepared to use its "big boy voice" when it wants something, and as soon as it has it, it's back to "little boy voice" complete with huffs and pouting. Go figure.

  5. Protection of liberties by Mr.+Underbridge · · Score: 5, Interesting
    On another note, cue the anti-french sentiment from a post-terror american centric peanut gallery... But at least this gives hope that the USA isn't the most litigious country in the world. Maybe you aren't #1 in everything after all. ;)

    That's a little trite. One has nothing to do with the other, but it is interesting how laws like this in other countries don't generate the kneejerk reaction they do in the US. The supposedly liberal France and Canada both have such a law. Where are all the open-minded, rights-protecting leaders of such countries when those laws were passed?

    Point is every country has some stupid laws. And we Americans have been laughing at the French since looooooong before 9/11. That probably started sometime in 1939 or 1940 at the latest. ;)