Don’t get any ideas Mr.Darling!

It’s been tried before. But many so Japanese firms objected that the plan fell by the wayside. This time it may be a different story. It looks likely that the Japanese government will bring in a tax on all portable digital music players and PVRs - ‘iPod tax’!

The new law is due to come into force before August, coinciding with the start of the Beijing Olympics. Analysts are expecting a huge spike in the sales of hardware and home TV recording…sounds more like a tax for the sake of tax rather than protection for the industry - I could be wrong. The taxes raised are expected to bring in about £5 million per year. The cash will be spread given to TV companies, musicians and other media creators.

To be fair, £5 million isn’t a huge amount when you consider the annual turnover of the large companies. On the street, Bob Average won’t be too bothered either - it adds up to a pennis on the price. So why the big deal? Piracy, in a word. The law would appear to be stating that you are guilty of piracy unless this tax is paid. What about the consumer who uses a device only for content that is free?

Changes the picture a little, doen’t it? Don’t expect the electronics industry to go down without a fight.

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