News Archive for 06/03/27

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Denmark DRM law in 2007?

03/27, 9:30am

iTunes rivals lobby for Denmark DRM law

Denmark may be the next country to try to counter Apple's dominance in the online music industry, if two of Europe's largest and most influential companies can get their way. The public lobbying effort follows the attention on a French DRM draft law that would force Apple to open up its FairPlay digital rights management (DRM) to ensure interoperability of iTunes songs with other music players. Apple called the law "state-sponsorted piracy," while US officials said that they oppose such legislation. Both Maersk and TDC, which operate their own online music services, are lobbying Denmark to open up the closed iPod/iTunes ecosystem. Ars Technica reports that Henrik Olesen, product manager at Maersk's Dansk Supermarked, told Danish-language Politiken.dk that interoperability would be a win-win situation."We would like to ask the politicians to follow the route they're taking in France, so that it becomes as easy as possible for the consumers to purchase music legally. The Danish Minister of Culture has reportedly promised to introduce new DRM legislation in 2007 to help ensure interoperability.