French government may subsidize music downloads
Found on Good Gear Guide on Thursday, 14 October 2010
The Carte Musique scheme gives €25 (US$35) to French residents aged 12 to 25 to spend on music downloads or subscription services. Young people can purchase a €50 card for just €25, with the balance paid by the state.
The Carte Musique is aimed at combating illegal downloads by getting young people into the habit of paying for music online through legal channels.
So in other words, France is giving the money of tax payers to the music industry because they are unable to come up with a new business strategy and get away from their ridiculous price fixations and DRM love. That was some amazing lobbying effort. But then Nicolas Sarkozy's wife Carla Bruni herself works in the music business.