French law on digital music compatability

[Vlad!]

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...BUG4CHTPEF1.DTL

On one hand, I'm all for open standards and cross-compatability. On the other, is it really the government's place to be mandating this? I'm going to have to come down in opposition to this one, since although I think Apple should use a format that is open and universally playable (high-quality OGG or MP3, perhaps also offering a FLAC option for the true quality enthusiasts), I don't think the government should be the one to make them.

Agree? Disagree? Don't care?

[bloop]

I'm with you that this particular law is an overstep, but I would like the government to step in and clearly tell music labels that they are to manufacture CDs that can be ripped and played on the music device of the purchaser's choice without the fuss of circumventing "copy protection".

[Vlad!]

I'm with you that this particular law is an overstep, but I would like the government to step in and clearly tell music labels that they are to manufacture CDs that can be ripped and played on the music device of the purchaser's choice without the fuss of circumventing "copy protection".

Honestly, I don't think that's the government's place either. Those sort of messages need to be sent by the consumer. If you don't like the practice of putting draconian copy protection on CDs, don't buy the CD.

[bloop]

^that's precisely why I see it as being as much for the protection of the artist as for the singer.  It's easy to say "just don't buy the CD", but the fact is that this punishes more than just the labels that insist on using copy protection.  I'm generally pretty libertarian in my political philosophy, but I think the government does have a place in protecting the consumer and fair use.

[Vlad!]

Well, if the consumers send the message that "we don't want DRM on our CDs", presumably some enlightened labels will realize this and stop using it. Maybe this is idealized, but it seems like government interference in this case really isn't necessary. If people hate DRM more than they like buying new CDs, the problem will solve itself. If not, then basically you're just wanting the government to intervene and remove something that bothers you but that most people are OK with.

[bloop]

^Word.  I'm selfish like that.

[Vlad!]

If you want to buy music online for a cheap price and be guaranteed that it's compatible with your player, check out allTunes.