French Vote Could Widen Choice for Downloaders

French MPs today voted for a law that would signal a revolution in choice for the country's online music buyers.

The law - which was approved by the National Assembly, France's lower house of parliament - would make Apple, Sony and Microsoft share their copyright-protection technology.

At the moment users of Apple's iPods, for instance, can only buy their music from the iTunes music store.

Under the draft legislation, Apple, Microsoft and Sony would have to give customers a free hand to shop around.

Apple's ability to lock consumers into its system has contributed to its success in changing the face of music buying and listening.

The company has sold 42m iPods sold around the world and has sold more than 1bn songs online.

It is possible that to safeguard its position Apple could withdraw from the French market rather than make its technology available.

The legislation will now go before the French upper house, the Senate, after today's vote in the National Assembly.

The proposed law would also introduce penalties for film and music piracy and for hacking into copy-protection systems.