Japan mulls copyright charge for iPod buyers
TOKYO (AFP) — Japan is considering a copyright fee for buyers of iPods and similar portable audio players, as well as hard disc video recorders, an official said Thursday.
A panel will weigh the proposal, which was made by the culture agency in an effort to resolve a long-running row between copyright holders and gadget manufacturers, who oppose the charge, the official said.
Japan already charges such fees on Minidisc and DVD recorders.
Local media said the panel aims to make a decision this year on whether to introduce the new charge by 2010.
A majority of the committee members are reportedly in favour of a levy, which is expected to be several hundred yen (several dollars) and added to the retail price.
The charge aims to compensate musicians and other copyright owners because their work is often copied and spread among consumers.
Although Japan is home to global electronics icon Sony Corp., which developed the Walkman, Apple's iPod has been a huge hit here.
