Slashdot report: Apple Sued in France for iPod Music Royalties. From the Yahoo! news feed article cited, we get this implicit assertion that, of course, piracy is the purpose for acquiring a device that makes copies:

The argument centers on a fee levied in France on sales of blank CDs, tapes, hard disks and other hardware that can be used to copy music. The proceeds go to musicians and other rights holders who lose money to piracy.

The Society of Music Creators, Composers and Publishers, or Sacem, accuses Apple of consistently refusing to pay the levy on sales of its iPod music player, which contains a hard disk drive.

In a statement, Sacem said that unless Apple settles its growing account, the agency that collects the payments “will have no other option than to go immediately to court to make sure that the rights of artists, composers and producers are respected.”

Unsurprisingly, the Slashdot discussion contrasts with the Canadia blank media levy. However, once you read the below comment (assuming it’s true — an interesting perspective from the land of droit d’auteur, though)), you have to wonder what the new EU IP Directive will mean for this perspective:

You can copy as much as you want (Score:4, Informative)

by youdontcare (322766) Alter Relationship on Wednesday March 10, @12:49PM (#8522683)

This is not a “piracy tax”, this is a “right to copy” tax. In France, we can copy anything but software as long as the source is legit (comes directly from the rights owner) and the copy is kept for our own private use.

Your friend buys a DVD, CD, book ? Copy it and keep it for yourself - it’s legal.

Rent a movie, copy it, bring it back and watch the copy as much as you want - legal.

Buy a CD, copy it, sell it - legal.

Go to your media-hungry friend who owns thousands of DVDs, CDs, books and copy them - legal.