France & 'digital freedom of choice'

iPod users everywhere might be interested in this story. France's National Assembly has voted yes on a law for "digital freedom of choice," the New York Times reports. The proposed law requires online music stores like iTunes to make songs available to any MP3 player, not just the iPod. "The bill also introduces relatively lenient penalties for digital piracy by individuals, with proposed fines of $45 to $180," according to the Times. The BBC reported that Apple called the legislation "state-sponsored music piracy." The law, which has been "fast-tracked" by the legislature next goes to France's Senate for a vote expected in May. If it passes, the BBC says, Apple would have the choice of complying or shutting down its iTunes store in France, which the BBC says represents just 5% of Apple's global business. The Times adds that, "while the iPod would be the device most prominently affected by the legislation, others, like Sony's Walkman digital music players, operate on a similar principle." France seems to be becoming a national-level consumer advocate in a global marketplace - the country already requires that iPod earbuds sold there have a maximum volume to protect French ears.