France to pass legislation taking iTunes beyond iPod

FRANCE is pushing through a law that would force Apple to open its popular iTunes online music store and enable consumers to download songs onto devices other than the computer maker’s iPod player.

Under a draft law expected to be voted in parliament on Thursday, consumers would be able to legally use software that converts digital content into any format.

It would no longer be illegal to crack digital rights management - the codes that protect music, films and other content - if it is to enable to the conversion from one format to another, said Christian Vanneste, a senior parliamentarian who helps guide law in France.