France may impose 1 percent culture tax on smartphones

@ 2013/05/15
The French government is seriously considering a new tax on smartphones and tablets. The one percent tax would be imposed on a range of “internet compatible devices” and it could yield about 86 million euros per year.

The cash, raised from the likes of Apple, Samsung, Google and Amazon, would then be used to help French outfits create cultural content, such as music, images and videos, reports AP.

The proposal is just an extension of France’s cultural exception policy, which protects French cinema and music from the onslaught of Anglo-American content. Similar laws tailored to protect French culture and the French language have been enacted in the past.

The proposal was apparently handed to French President Francois Hollande Monday and government officials will meet leading figures in the cultural sector before any decision is made.

No comments available.