France is looking at a law that would let iTunes users download songs on not just iPods but any digital audio player. The law would allow consumers to convert digital content (not only Apple’s), legally cracking the DRM if necessary, into any format and would force companies to open up their proprietary systems. The law would also allow consumers to make a limited number of copies of legally downloaded material.
France is hoping that this would help the nascent online digital music market establish a stronger foothold and would also bring France in line with European Union directives on copyrights.
Before we all rejoice too much, Apple could simply choose to withdraw from the french market to avoid seeing other countries put in place similar laws.