Submission + - Dutch might implement a tax on music downloads
sheean.nl writes: "The Dutch technology news-site Tweakers.net is reporting that the two major Dutch parties are considering implementing a "compensation-fee" (Dutch) on downloads of music via the internet.
According to the parties, record companies should accept that music is being downloaded from the internet without being paid for. As a compensation measure, a levy could be put on all internet subscriptions.
Dutch politician Van Dam (Labour party) considers the fight against the illegal spreading of music-files via the internet a lost one. "We must be realistic." Van Dam is interested in the idea of compensating musicians and authors for their loss of income. A prerequisite is that record companies accept that music is being spread via the internet and must thus reduce the use of DRM and other security measures.
The Christian-Democrats also consider the idea. According to Christian-Democrat Van Vroonhoven, many internet-users are using their connection to download files from the internet without paying for it. Because of this, she too is in favour of this proposal, as long as users no longer have to pay for separate downloads as well.
The two parties are currently still working on forming a coalition after the elections of last November."
According to the parties, record companies should accept that music is being downloaded from the internet without being paid for. As a compensation measure, a levy could be put on all internet subscriptions.
Dutch politician Van Dam (Labour party) considers the fight against the illegal spreading of music-files via the internet a lost one. "We must be realistic." Van Dam is interested in the idea of compensating musicians and authors for their loss of income. A prerequisite is that record companies accept that music is being spread via the internet and must thus reduce the use of DRM and other security measures.
The Christian-Democrats also consider the idea. According to Christian-Democrat Van Vroonhoven, many internet-users are using their connection to download files from the internet without paying for it. Because of this, she too is in favour of this proposal, as long as users no longer have to pay for separate downloads as well.
The two parties are currently still working on forming a coalition after the elections of last November."
