If you think that North Americans are the only ones basking on their newly declared rights, the Brits are also treading the same happy road. Due to insistent public demand, UK's Office of Communications or Ofcom is legalizing the use of FM transmitters that allow mp3 players and iPods to play through car radios.

The use of accessories like Griffin's iTrip was banned in the United Kingdom as their transmissions can interfere with the broadcasts of legal radio stations. We have already mentioned in our earlier report that the ban was based on the Wireless Telegraph Act of 1949 which basically forbids the use of radio equipment without a license. In spite of the ban, these accessories have been widely available online.

Starting December 8, Brits could legally use certain FM transmitters, which can be tuned to spare frequencies. But many devices on the market will still be illegal, as they didn't meet the required technical specifications and could interfere with radio broadcasts. All approved devices will carry a CE mark which implies the approval for sale in the European Union. Ofcom will also lift the need for a license to use Citizens' Band radio.

If the European Commission had its way, MP3 player owners in Europe would be facing a  tax revision that will jack up the iPod's price by a wallet-burning 25 euros ( USD).

The law, already under fire from companies like  Nokia and Philips Electronics, was introduced back in the 1960s on tapes to compensate musicians for privately copied music. It's undergoing revisions this year, and would include blank CD's and MP3 players (phones included, since they can store tunes, too) in its revised itinerary.

Dirk Visser, attorney for the electronic industry, had this to say regarding the revision. "This will lead to double or triple taxation. Soon, a consumer will pay rights to the artists when he buys on iTunes, then again when he buys a blank disc, and undoubtedly it will be extended to mobile phones which can also store music."

The law is expected to collect 1.57 billion Euros (roughly billion USD) in its corresponding states this year, and a further 4.67 euros (roughly $ 6 billion) next year. Some countries like Britain are yet to implement these taxes. The European Commission is expected to publish their views by the end of the year, though countries like Denmark are already going through the motions of implementing the tax law.