By Jo Best, 4 January 2005 16:00
NEWS Fujitsu-Siemens has been ordered by a German court to pay a levy every time one of its computers is sold in the country, as part of a 'tax on piracy'.
The judge ruled that since the company's PCs could be used for copying material - and doing rights holders out of their due royalties - Fujitsu-Siemens should make it up to those who are out of pocket by way of a €12-per-machine contribution.
Similar levies are already in place on other media that can be used for copying, including blank videos and audio tapes, in other European countries.
The German copyright holders association VG Wort initially brought the case in 2001 and had been demanding a €30 levy, although it agreed to the court's revised €12 penalty.
VG Wort is expected to bring similar suits against other computer manufacturers in the country.
Fujitsu Siemens did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Comments
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1. Simon
Has the world gone totally bonkers ? What next, a tax on pencils in case someone uses one to copy something ? A tax on paint and canvas because someone might use them to counterfeit something ?
When I look around the office, the number of things that COULD be used for illegal acts is enormous - but they aren't, so why should I have to pay someone elses 'fine' ?
2. Ethelred the Unready
Hmmmm..... Is this a licence for owners of Fujitsu Siemens machines to copy whatever they want on the basis they have already paid to do so?
Perhaps we should put a levy on hands on the basis that anyone with hands can steal.
3. anonymous
One laymans conclusion is that since this charge will be part of the purchase price of the machine the buyer has also purchased a right to copy anything they wish.
4. anonymous
It is like if you had to pay a tax for potential speeding when you buy a new car, absolutely scandalous! You pay the tax, you copy content and then you are sued and condemned. You are punished twice for the same infringement that is against every legal reasoning.