Following further discussions but no vote last week, the French parliament is expected to vote later today on those previously reported proposals to introduce laws that could have radical implications for the digital music sector, and especially Apple Computers.
As previously reported, French politicians are proposing new legislation that would force technology firms to ensure that all digital music files work on all digital music players. If those proposals become law it is likely to have the biggest implications for Apple, whose entire business model is based on a download platform - iTunes - that sells music that can only be played on the company's own music players - iPods. The proposed laws would arguably make that business model illegal in France which might, some insiders say, lead to Apple leaving the French digital music market.
But Martin Rogard, an adviser to the French Culture Minister behind the proposals, Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, makes no apologies for the moves to force interoperability into the download space, adding that he doubts Apple will leave the French market, and that French politicians can be expected to push for an adoption of the measures across Europe.
In an interview last week he said: "Someone who buys a song has to be able to listen to it, no matter which device or software they choose", adding: "I don't think it is in the interest of Apple to quit France or stop selling iTunes. But if they do, there will be plenty of companies who will be delighted to take their place".
Apple haven't said a great deal about the French proposals, but if France does indeed try to get its interoperability proposals adopted by the European Union, then simply bowing out of the French digital music sector won't be a solution, and Apple might have to rethink its strategy. Unless, of course, Apple could sidestep the new law on a technicality.
Interviewed on the French proposals by Bloomberg, Olivia Regnier of the International Federation Of The Phonographic Industry, who are generally in favour of interoperability, points out that the wording of the new legislation "is pretty obscure", which means Apple might be able to argue they are complying with the new rules without changing their business model.
This is because a consumer with the right software and know-how can buy a track from iTunes, burn it to CD (as the iTunes DRM allows), then put the CD back into their computer and use a bit of software like Audiocatalyst to re-rip the tracks as MP3s, which will play on any portable music device. Therefore, technically speaking, a consumer who buys a track from iTunes can play it on any device, if they can be bothered to go through the somewhat complex conversion process. Given the vague wording on the new French law, that might be enough to satisfy the new interoperability requirements.
Of course if Apple were to use that technicality to adhere to the law, it would require dwelling on and possibly promoting one of the major fundamental flaws of Apple and most other DRM technologies.