Big news from France today as GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us that a French court has ruled that music label EMI has to stop selling "defective" CDs. EMI has to refund a woman who could not play her freshly bought CD in her car or alternatively they have to provide her with a working copy. The court ruling applies to all people who have bought CDs which they cannot play on some CD players:
Also in the Nanterre dock was Auchon, the giant department store chain, which sold the offending (and to non-French ears, offensive CD. It escaped punishment for its offence of failing to inform the Alain Souchon fan that the CD was copy protected. The unnamed woman who struck a blow for French shoppers was supported by UFC, the French consumer rights group. It is to appeal the Nanterre court's decision against banning copyright protection. UFC is also sueing Warner for selling a copy protected Phil Collins CD in Macintosh and a Universal executive for the protection on the DVD of Mulholland Drive. |
EMI sells CDs worldwide and last month the group already escaped sanction in Australia for selling CDs that refused to work on some CD players. According to The Register some French retailers are already trying to ward off legal action by issuing warning notices about copyright protection at point of purchase.
Source: The Register
