France could tax Google to subsidize music
Found on CNet News on Wednesday, 06 January 2010
A report financed by the French government recommends that Google, MSN, Yahoo, and other big advertising companies--as well as Internet service providers--be taxed, with revenue set to help fund the music and publishing sectors.
The government of French President Nicolas Sarkozy has promised to defend French culture and has helped implement some of the world's strongest antipiracy and pro-copyright laws.
"The music industry is in the worst situation--worse than the publishing industry," he told Liberation. "They are in great danger. So we must act quickly."
Same old brainless blabbering the music industry always sputters out. Instead of accepting that the world is turning (and changing) they do everything to stick to a dying business model. They always remind of those who argued that without slavery, the cotton industry would die. If I'd run one of those companies threatened by this tax, I'd simply deny access from all french IP addresses, redirecting to a site which tells them that thanks to the decision of their president, I can no longer provide any service for France. After all, it is my decision who I do business with.