France Takes a Stab at Online Music DRM

The Associated Press is reporting on a amendment to an online copyright bill that is making its way through the French legislative process. The amendment would restrict DRM Schemes like Apple's Fairplay and Sony's ATRAC3 on the grounds that they may "result in the prevention of the effective application of interoperability."

From the lead paragraph of the AP article:

"Apple Computer Inc. faces a serious challenge in France, where lawmakers have moved to sever the umbilical cord between its iPod player and iTunes online music store — threatening its lucrative hold on both markets."

The law and it's amendments needs to pass a formal vote on Tuesday before moving on to the French Senate.