'Consumers will suffer if Apple pulls out of the French download market'.(Viewpoint)

France's decision last week to approve measures that would force interoperability between competing restrictions on digital media can only be a good thing for the future of digital downloads.

If the measures--which still have to pass through the upper house--are upheld, they will effect a shake-up in the download world that will not only allow all digital music retailers to compete on a level playing field, but will also attract new consumers to the download market.

The current situation, where tracks bought on iTunes can only be played on an iPod or Motorola iTunes phone, is too restrictive for the consumer. If you have paid for music you should be able to choose how and where you listen to it.

The iPod may have virtually created the download market as it exists today, but that doesn't mean it's the best market it could be. It's important to consumers to have the ability to move songs between their various listening devices and this lack of freedom has made the transition from buying music in a physical format to buying digital media all the more tricky.

It is possible for digital retailers to support multiple platforms and formats, and be device agnostic. We at 7 Digital believe in consumer choice for digital music and have always offered multiple formats including the iPod compatible AAC format. A buyer of digital music should be in the same position as a consumer bringing a CD home from HM-V, namely that they can listen to it on any of their hi-fis, no matter what their brand.

Format wars of any description arc always bad for the consumer, and government intervention to protect its citizens is great to see. The bill is an implementation of the EU Copyright Directive and as such should be followed throughout Europe--including the UK.

It will be interesting to watch how this debate unfolds and what Apple (and Sony and Microsoft) choose to do if the decision is not in their favour. Pulling out of France may not affect Apple financially, but would show a lack of willing to evolve the market to the benefit of both consumers and artists.