PARIS, July 4 (UPI) -- Analysts are awaiting Apple Computer's response to a new French law that requires the company to make purchased downloaded music compatible for all players.
Now, songs purchased for 99 cents at Apple's iTunes Music Store can only be played on Apple's iPod players, but the French government legislated against the practice.
However, the law, passed last week, has a loophole that allows Apple to obtain permission from artists, record labels and publishers to keep its digital rights management software on the music so it cannot be played on non-Apple devices, the Washington Post reported Tuesday.
Whether Apple chooses to simply pull out of France, or undertake the permission-seeking process for its vast offerings has analysts divided, the report said.
"Apple might seriously consider withdrawing," from France as a result of the law, said Roger Kay, principal analyst at research firm Endpoint Technologies Associates Inc. He said complying with the new law might amount to more of a headache than France's business is worth.
Tim Bajarin, principal analyst with Creative Strategies, told the Post he thinks it will be "business as usual" for Apple in France.
The company has made no statement since the law's passage.
