“If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat / If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet,” sang the Beatles on “Taxman” in 1966. Now they might have to add “If you listen to illegally downloaded music, I’ll tax your your digital media player.” Not as catchy, but that’s what’s going to happen if certain people in the U.K. music industry get their way.
The idea has been suggested following legislation in Holland for a point of sale surcharge on any device capable of storing illegally downloaded or “pirated” music. The recently passed Dutch legislation will become law within the next three months, with reports suggesting the levy could be around Eu3.28 per gigabyte. On Apple’s 60gb iPod that would add over Eu190 to the price. The levy would be paid to copyright holders, to compensate for profits lost to illegal filesharing. [more @ www.monstersandcritics.com]