French Govt to Subsidize Digital Music Downloads

[nsane.forums]

For the next two years the French govt will subsidize half – that's right half – the cost of a 50 euro ($70 USD) card to be used to download music from approved subscription-based online retailers. Consumers will be limited to one card a year.

I've heard it argued over the years that the French suffer from a general fear that their language and culture are under constant assault from foreign tongues like Spanish, Chinese, and, of course, English, but but never has it really been that obvious to me until just these past couple of years.

First it was the govt's insistence that it needed to disconnect people from the Internet if copyright holders had determined they weren't fairly compensated for their work – a la "three-strikes."

Then this past January President Nicolas Sarkozy's looked into the possibility of taxing Google, Yahoo, Facebook, MSN, and other Internet portals as a way to help finance artists in the country, though obviously ignoring the fact that consumers are the ones who'll end up footing the bill in the end; Google won't simply decide to make less.

A few days ago President Sarkozy then made a speech calling Internet regulation a "moral imperative" that's necessary to "correct the excesses and abuses that arise from the total absence of rules." It's surely more code words for further restricting and regulating the flow of goods and services on the Internet to ensure that the French creative community are properly compensated for their work.

Now it's being reported that for the next two years the French govt will subsidize half – that's right half – the cost of a 50 euro ($70 USD) card to be used to download music from approved subscription-based online retailers. Consumers will be limited to one card a year, and its expected to cost the govt about 25 million euros ($34.65 million) annually if it sells an estimated million cards.

The plan had been put on hold while the govt sought approval from the European Union which was reviewing the issue from any potential anti-competitive effects it would have on digital music retailers that don't participate in the scheme.

Retailers that opt in will be required to lower the price of music, extend the duration of subscriptions, and help contribute to the cost of advertising the card.

But, is all this really necessary? It's unlikely that minus this plan, "three-strikes," and any other nonsense that the govt contrives that artists will disappear. In virtually every other country the music industry is thriving, musicians' income even up some 66% despite decreased album sales over the last decade. Why? You can't pirate a concert, nor can you an official t-shirt, signed album, etc..

It's high time the French govt realizes that there is difference between the creative community and the entities that distribute their works. Until then we're likely to see more of these desperate attempts to fight off imaginary enemies.

View: Original Article

[The Godfather]

It's just the French Being French. Need I say More?!

[Ambrocious]

Actually it's a little bit more than that. Here, watch these and lets see if your wise enough to connect the dots:

[Made In 2006]

[Made In 2007]

[Made In March 2009]

[Made In October 2009]

[Made In April 2010]

Although these may not directly have implications to the news of the French doing this, it explains at least the mindset and reason that they might be doing it. Learn how things work (power, control, authority) and you begin to see all the little "why's" of life answered. Knowledge is power.

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[Atasas]

Indeed, not easy to have borders on what is legal, what is a trap (legal one at it)

To be honest though, unless getting very privacy conscientious- there is no real way to be anonymous and certain "leeway" is allowed already anyway