Apple better get lobbying fast. There may be provisions for free commerce and antitrust that would give an angle to Apple to attack this position.

European laws apply to each individual country above the laws that have been passed in those specific countries. So it is a possibility that Apple could go to the European courts to have this law ruled unconstitutional according to the European rules. Apple may be headed into a legal battle.

It seems to me very difficult to implement this legislation at a European-wide level because it would take too big of a bite into Apple's business. Right now, Apple's is the leading model in terms of digital music.

France has a tradition in the fight between David and Goliath of protecting the little guy. France is focusing on the user rather than on the company that is providing service.

You recognize but one rule of commerce; that is (to avail myself of your own terms) to allow free passage and freedom of action to all buyers and sellers whoever they may be.

A pickpocket is obviously a champion of private enterprise. But it would perhaps be an exaggeration to say that a pickpocket is a champion of private property. The point about Capitalism and Commercialism, as conducted of late, is that they have really preached the extension of business rather than the preservation of belongings; and have at best tried to disguise the pickpocket with some of the virtues of the pirate.