Skip to main content
BBC NEWS / ENTERTAINMENT
Graphics VersionBBC Sport Home
News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

Monday, 8 May 2006, 15:18 GMT 16:18 UK

French fight copyright proposals

Compact disc, Eyewire Demonstrators in Paris have protested against proposed laws which will make online file-sharing illegal in France.

The law, being debated by the French Senate, will ban the unauthorised downloading of copyrighted files.

Around 300 people laid a wreath "in memory of private copying and free software in France" near the city's culture and communications ministry.

It follows a decision by the government in March to scrap a bill to legalise downloading in return for a flat fee.

The draft copyright law introduces fines of between 38 and 150 euros (£26-£104) for people pirating music or movies at home.

Digital rights

Demonstrators also attacked plans to bolster digital rights management technology, which prevents commercial files from being freely shared over the internet.

Apple, which runs the iTunes music store, has criticised the draft law for the opposite reason.

The law calls upon Apple and rivals Sony and Microsoft to share their proprietary copy-protection - to ensure that digital music can be played on any player, regardless of its format or source.

Currently most online stores lock consumers into their own downloading systems and players.

Apple argues that one digital rights management system would leave legal download services vulnerable to illegal file-sharing.




E-mail this to a friend
Related to this story:
French MPs vote on digital piracy (03 Mar 06 |  Technology )
New debate for French piracy law (08 Mar 06 |  Technology )
French MPs debate file-share law (09 Mar 06 |  Technology )
French MPs vote to open up iTunes (21 Mar 06 |  Technology )
Rights and wrongs of the digital age (18 Apr 06 |  Technology )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Syndicat National de l'Edition Phonographique
Audiosurfers Association
iTunes
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



SEARCH BBC NEWS: 

News Front Page | Africa | Americas | Asia-Pacific | Europe | Middle East | South Asia | UK | Business | Health | Science & Environment | Technology | Entertainment | Also in the news | Have Your Say |
Entertainment Contents:  Arts & Culture

NewsWatch | Notes | Contact us | About BBC News | Profiles | History

^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©