iPod levy big in Japan

Japan is planning a levy on iPods, with the money collected to be distributed to creators and record companies. In late May, Ashai Shimbun newspaper reported an Agency of Cultural Affaris proposal for a 100-Yen-per-iPod (48p) levy to complement existing levies on DVD players and other hardware. This - in such a big consumer market - will likely add credibility to calls for levies on recording devices in the UK, with compensation for creators, as discussed at May's Commons meeting (see here).