Denmark next in line to challenge Apple, DRM

[news=http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/8561/untitled12gd.png]Apple's problems in Europe look to be getting worse, not better. Following on the heels of France's legislative push for DRM interoperability comes word that Denmark is thinking along the same lines. Reportedly, Maersk and the country's largest telecommunications company, TDC, are speaking out in favor of such interoperability. Maersk and TDC are not only two of largest companies in Denmark, but they are amongst the largest and most powerful in Europe. Both also operate online music ventures.

Media attention has focused primarily on how the French legislation could affect Apple, and for good reason. The company owns both the world's most popular online music store and the massively successful iPod. The legislation is not Apple-specific, however. Rather, France (and now Denmark) is pushing for general DRM interoperability that would eliminate customer lock-in. This has led Apple to lash out at the legislation, with the company going so far as to charge France with promoting state-sponsored piracy. The real issue is competition, however, and Apple clearly prefers that its iTunes+iPod lock-in remain untouched.

And as you might expect, Apple's competitors would prefer otherwise. 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. This will in the end mean larger gross sales for all music stores," he said.

Likewise, Gert Rieder, CEO of TDC, said that "We can only press for something like the French, because it gives the consumers as many opportunities to shop for music." In Denmark it is currently illegal to circumvent DRM.

Brian Mikkelsen, the Danish Minister of Culture, said that legislation addressing the matter would be introduced in 2007. He expressed optimism that DRM interoperability would be backed by the various record labels who are eager to see legal alternatives to piracy flourish online.

:source: Source: http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060326-6463.html[/news]