The French Senate has altered a controversial bill that aims to ensure competition in the country’s digital music market by forcing companies like Apple to open their online stores to players besides the iPod, Reuters reported. Responding to opposition from Apple, the Senate bill now includes a license fee for companies who provide interoperability of their services, as well as an assurance that copyright protection will be upheld by third parties, through the creation of an independent authority to regulate digital rights management transfers. Both houses of France’s parliament will have to agree on the language of the bill, which could be enacted as early as next month. It’s unclear whether Apple would comply with the proposed French law or instead simply choose to shutter its iTunes Store in France.

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