Already a year ago we reported about plans from Germany to let hardware producers pay a fee for their hardware. Why? Because with a CD writer u can copy music... and producers of that music need compensation for that. In my opinion complete bullshit, but who am I?
Unfortunately things don't always go like I want them to go. Last november HP was sentenced to pay $1.60 for each computer they sell. And if you sell hundreds of thousands computers, that's a lot of money. They also needed to pay $5.40 for every machine it ships with a device that can store music (which device can't??).
But HP isn't the only one. Several months ago also they also asked Fujitsu Siemens to pay US$26 for each PC. The case is still running...
You think this is enough for Germany? HP has now been ordered to reveal how many CD-R and CD-RW drives it has sold in the country during the last three and a half years.
However, HP has clearly since decided it doesn't want to pay up. It was sued again in June this year after negotiations to set the levy broke down.
And the case continuous. We will keep you updated when new news arrives...
Source: theregister
