French lawmakers are this week expected to let Apple off the hook by passing laws that do not automatically force the computer firm to share its DRM technology with its competitors.
As previously reported at somewhat considerable length, earlier this year the lower house of the French Parliament passed new rules that would force technology firms to share their proprietary DRM systems. The laws would have forced Apple to make its DRM system available to other technology firms so that they could sell players compatible with iTunes or DRM protected downloads compatible with the iPod.
The proposals were popular with consumer groups who claim that it is unfair that Apple can lock consumers to their download platform by preventing anyone else from selling DRM protected content that is compatible with the iPod. However, Apple and other technology firms were predictably critical of the move and they lobbied politicians in the upper house not to pass those restrictions. That lobbying was successful, and the upper house amended the new laws before passing them, removing rules that obliged Apple et al to automatically share their DRM technology with others.
A committee has since been working to find a compromise between the laws as passed by the lower and upper houses of the Parliament, and it is that compromise that is expected to be passed this week. The final approved laws will most likely mean that Apple and their competitors will not have to share their DRM systems providing the artists and content owners whose music they sell agree to that policy.
Advocates of the compromise say that that system will put the power over DRM in the hands of the creative community, whose content the DRM is designed to protect, and will also strengthen the hand of the creative players when they are in business negotiations with the technology firms. Christian Vanneste, the MP who is putting forward the proposals, told the Associated Press: "It's perfectly legitimate that the artist should decide the potential limitations on the use of his work."
But critics argue that Apple is so dominant in the digital music space that artists and record labels cannot afford to not do business with them, meaning that they will have to sign contracts that allow Apple to keep their DRM secret, even if they don't believe that is the best option for their music or their fans. Frederique Pfrunder of French consumer rights group CLCV told reporters: "[The politicians are] washing their hands of the consumer. Confronted with the market power of iTunes copyright holders will have to agree to maintain the exclusive iPod link. If they refuse, they'll lose their deals."