Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2005/12/01/japan_says_no_to_ipod_tax/
Japanese 'iPod tax' threat fades
Government panel says no to recording media levy extension
1st December 2005 16:34 GMT
Japanese consumers will not have to pay an 'iPod tax', the country's government has decided.
Japan has, since 1993, levied a duty on devices and media capable of recording music. This week, a government panel met to consider whether the duty should be extended to digital music players, website Japan Today reports (http://www.japantoday.com/e/?content=news&cat=4&id=357010).
The royalty, which typically ranges from ¥4 ($0.03/£0.02) per MiniDisk to ¥400 ($3.36/£1.95) for a MiniDisk recorder, is paid to artists and other copyright holders. ®