Fujitsu Siemens faces German PC levy
PrintCopyright holders take it to court
Posted in Business, 17th April 2001 12:48 GMT
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Fujitsu Siemens could face a levy of 30 euros (£18.60) for every PC it sells in Germany.
The company has been hauled before Germany's court of arbitration by Wort, a copyright management organisation, which argues that Fujitsu Siemens hardware can be used for copying - and therefore infringes the rights of its members, according to
Silicon.com.
Hewlett-Packard is facing a similar battle in Germany, where the principle of copyright levies on recording media is well-established. Question is (anyone know the answer): will the PC levy, if established, extend to all PCs made in Germany, or just to PCs sold in Germany.
If it is the former, then the country is shooting itself in the foot. And if it is the latter, how will the country police imports to ensure that the PC levy is paid? ®
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