Apple urged to embrace rival platforms

Apple could increase its market share by opening iTunes to devices other than iPods

The French Senate's recent move to dilute legislation to force firms including Apple to create platforms that can share digital content with rivals will not derail moves towards interoperability, an industry expert has predicted.

Salman Momen, head of media technology at Capgemini Telecom, Media & Entertainment, said that interoperability between digital music platforms is inevitable and is in fact crucial to the survival of the music industry.

He believes that the recent legislative moves in France mark the forerunner of a "massive shift" in how music is sold, stored and consumed, and paves the way for enforced cooperation between online music distributors.

"An interoperable digital rights management standard for music downloads would ultimately be a boost for record labels, recording artists and consumers, " said Momen.

He cited the example of SMS. When originally launched, users could only send text messages to people on the same network. But it was not until SMS between networks became possible that the enormous revenues were realised.

"Capgemini also believes that interoperability could benefit Apple which 'owns' the majority of the legal download market with an 80 per cent market share in the UK," said Momen.

"By opening its iTunes Music Store to devices other than iPods, Apple would gain increased music market share whilst retaining its mantle as the music industry saviour."