#FF00AA

Padawan:

Meanwhile in France, SACEM (our local RIAA) is threatening to sue Apple France if the company doesn’t pay the levy tax imposed on hard-drives (from 10 to 20€ depending on the size).

Nevermind the fact that it reminds me there’s a tax on hard drives (everyday life is so much easier when you forget the details of our society’s idiosyncrasies), it’s troubling me.

First, according to the article linked there, the dispute only revolves around the iPod, which makes no sense: Apple computers also contain hard drives, so either Apple is used to paying this tax, or the Sacem shouldn’t be complaining specifically about the iPod.

But, more importantly, what is Apple doing at all? Did they deliberately decide to go to court and play heroes by challenging this stupid tax? That’s a terribly American concept, but could work as an advertising campaign: Apple defends consumer rights! Hurrah for Apple! But, American as it is, it’s quite likely to fail in France and leave them with a hefty sum to pay. Could they really afford to pay 20 € plus interests for each iPod already sold? iPods cost over $50 more in France than in the US, so maybe they saved the difference on a special account in order to finance the operation.

That’s when I’d like to be a super-famous blogger and have inside sources from the industry contact me with confidential memos. Damn. I should have been working harder to build a larger audience. Good thing I don’t care, really.