I welcome the passage of the “iTune’s Law” in France. The measure would compel Apple Computer to open its iPods to competing music formats. It’s a step in the right direction (even though Apple may react by pulling out of the French market).

Music players should either allow the use of all file formats, or all online music stores should sell their tracks in the same format. Falling short of those goals hurts both consumers and the industry. It’s ridiculous that, as an iPod user, I can’t buy songs from Artist A on-line because his record label made a deal with Sony, not Apple. If I preferred Sony’s music store selection, but would rather own an iPod for its simplicity, I’d be rightfully miffed.

Let’s put this in the context of the long-gone good-ol’ days. Would it have made sense if a CD I bought at Brick-And-Mortar Tunes ‘R Us could only play on certain, specially equipped stereos? I don’t think so.

And for those who say, Why don’t you just convert everything to mp3? I do. Still, that puts an unnecessary burden on the consumer. Remember him? He’s the one you want buying your products.

If on-line distribution is the model of the future (and it is), let’s settle on a good, high-quality format, knock off the proprietary bullshit and get on with enjoying the music.

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