Apple Bytes

Well, not really, but explain this new, proposed law that will basically force iTunes out of your country. I don't get it.

Just in case you've had your head buried under or up something lately, here is the skinny. France's parliament is considering a law that would require Apple to make music purchased through iTunes play on any MP3 player other than the iPod.

Sounds reasonable, right? I mean if you buy it you should be able to play it any where you want, right? And right now, Apple only lets you download your music bought through iTunes to up to five computers and your iPod. That's not fair, right?

Well, that's exactly what France and some people here in the United States are saying. There's just one problem.

See, just like with everything else on a computer, there's a hack or a work around for this one, too. All you have to do is burn your music which you just downloaded through iTunes onto a CD. When you do that, the "magic" protection which is placed on the file when you download is gone.

You can upload it onto any computer using any other player in whatever file format your heart desires. And guess what else? (there's more) Yes, there is! Once you've burned your music onto a CD you can actually put it on any MP3 player you want! Shocking isn't it.

I can't believe there isn't at least one geek or hacker in France you has figured this out. If there is, surely he could let their parliament know. Right now, it looks like Apple is making plans for a quick exit from France if this propose law goes through, and that can't be too good for any one.

Well, there you have it. My little gesture of good will and diplomacy for the French people. Let's just hope Steve Jobs doesn't find out or they might be coming for me.

Uh-Oh. There's someone coming up the stairs right now!