There are competing U.S. business interests (Apple and the music industry to name two) so I highly doubt the USG will get involved. Even then, one would wonder if this is the issue to get involved in.
As for the French, I think they are driven by the honest opinion that Apple's strategy is anticompetitive. One could argue that the exclusivity between I-Pod and I-Tunes limits competition (I-Pod owners are forced to buys songs at Apple-controlled artificially elevated or lower prices).
Apple needs to be concerned that France's move does not prove to be the first step to full adoption by the rest of the EU. This could happen since the genie is now out of the bottle.
Yes, Apple could drop itunes.co.fr, but then they would be cutting off a very large part of their European market. I think mechanisms would be put in place to prevent French users from going to another country's I-tunes site. My daughters will not be be happy.
Apple has some tough decisions to make. I wonder if they'll think longterm this time.
__________________
Give 'em Hell, Cougars!!!
Religion rises inevitably from our apprehension of our own death. To give meaning to meaninglessness is the endless quest of all religion. When death becomes the center of our consciousness, then religion authentically begins. Of all religions that I know, the one that most vehemently and persuasively defies and denies the reality of death is the original Mormonism of the Prophet, Seer and Revelator, Joseph Smith.
|