France Relaxes DRM Proposal

PARIS — The upper house of the French Parliament has made last-minute changes to a bill that would have effectively relaxed digital rights management restrictions and interoperability issues for playing MP3 files. The politicians softened their stance, which would have forced Apple and other providers of copy-protected music to share its DRM license, making its music playable on any device.

Apple, Microsoft and Sony all have proprietary software in place that prevent users from playing and downloading songs onto a rival’s competing digital music player. For example, a song purchased through iTunes will not play on a Sony device.

Apple provided the most vociferous opposition to the bill, calling it “state-sponsored piracy.” Technology experts believed if the original wording of the law passed, Apple would cease to do business in France. The company’s non-interoperable DRM technology called Fairplay is a big reason why Apple dominates the MP3 player marketplace with the ubiquitous iPod and its iTunes store, the largest seller of digital music downloads in the world. Vivendi Universal and Time Warned joined the chorus opposing the bill.

“France has adopted an entirely new and unique approach to managing digital music and films that could be a model for other countries to follow,” Jonathan Arber, an analyst at a consulting firm in London, said. “Everyone will be watching the impact six months down the line to see whether consumers or companies have benefited.”

While the bill passed the French Senate, most of the controversial language had been removed or toned down. The bill still manages to reduce piracy penalties to a lesser offense, requires software companies to furnish the government with details about how its programs work and creates a bureau with authority over digital copyright issues.

The agency will work to establish guidelines for how many times users can copy digital music files among other copyright protection concerns. Currently, the software providers in conjunction with the copyright holders decide these issues.

“This body they have created is set up to force companies to license their protection technology to their competitors,” Francisco Mingorance, the director of public policy of the Business Software Alliance, told the International Herald Tribune. “Once you break copy protection technology and let the genie out of the bottle in France, there is no way back.”

The senate’s motive in drafting the bill was to encourage competition in the digital music marketplace and innovate the way online distribution models operate.

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Hookup Hotshot Adds TobyDick.com

Hookup Hotshot (HUHS) has added U.K. paysite TobyDick.com to its network.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

Leana Lovings, Shay Sights Front 'Substance' Parody From Brazzers

Leana Lovings stars with Shay Sights in the latest release from Brazzers, a parody of "The Substance.”

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Little Puck Stars in Latest Episode of 'The Bottom Floor' From Adult Time

Little Puck stars in the second episode of Adult Time series “The Bottom Floor,” titled “The Second Coming.”

Haley Spades Stars in Latest From Immoral

Haley Spades stars with Charlie Dean, Matt Bird, and Dean Van Damme in a new three-part release from Immoral Productions, directed by "Porno Dan" Leal.

Octavia Red Makes Her Vampired Debut

Octavia Red has made her Vampired debut alongside Talia Mint and 2023 XMA Europas Female Performer of the Year Tiffany Tatum in the new feature “Hunters.”

Lily Starfire Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Lily Starfire stars with Kyle Mason in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Eating Ass Is the Game."

Country Hotwife Makes Her WIFEY Debut

Content creator Country Hotwife has made her debut for Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint WIFEY, alongside her husband StagHubby and former XMAs Male Performer of the Year Isiah Maxwell.

Vixen Media Group Celebrates 10 Years of 'Tushy'

Vixen Media Group (VMG) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of studio imprint Tushy.

Show More