The demonstrators, many of whom identified themselves as open-source software developers, said they were protesting the bill on two fronts: consumers' right to fair use and software developers' freedom to innovate.

The controversial legislation has come under fire from all sides. Often described as the "iPod law," the bill has triggered anxiety in the business community here and abroad, which fears the mandate for "interoperability" could shut down Apple Computer's iTunes service based on its proprietary DRM approach.

But yesterday's march was not about the iPod. The grass-roots organizations that participated said they fear the copyright bill threatens "free software in France" and heralds "the death of fair use." They made it clear that they favor interoperability and authors' rights.

Jeremie Zimmermann, a software developer in Paris, said the bill suggests the French government is under intense pressure from the U.S. Department of Commerce and lobbyists from big corporations such as Microsoft Corp., Apple and content developer Vivendi Universal. "Apple accuses us of promoting 'state-sponsored piracy,' " he said. "But how can it be true? These big corporations, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, are killing free competition on software innovation."

Critics of the bill object particularly to one section—nicknamed the "Vivendi Universal amendment" by some who believe the media conglomerate choreographed it—that would prevent publication of underlying code for copy protection systems. "Software developers shouldn't be held liable for any illegal file sharing done with our software," said Zimmermann.

Proponents of open-source software as well as commercial software makers have said they believe the French bill would render the open-source business model virtually illegal. The French proposal would affect all software permitting downloads, including certain instant messaging software and all server software (P2P, HTTP, FTP and SSH), the protesters argued.

They also made an appeal to consumers by pointing out that the bill could forbid many common practices that today are legal. "Works which we buy should be able to be viewed anytime, anywhere, with the equipment and the software of one's choosing, including free software," one stated. "We want, for instance, to be able to lend music" to acquaintances.

To drive home their point, some of the demonstrators dressed in prisoners' garb. One carried a sign that said, "I've read my DVD on Linux." Other signs read, "I've explained a security flaw" and "Je suis un criminel" ("I am a criminal"). Other protesters, chained together, wore tee shirts that bore the name of a targeted company (Apple, Microsoft, etc.) and were festooned with Monopoly play money.

The march was organized by groups including stopDRM, APRIL, the Audionautes, dadaprod.org, EUCD.info, FFII.fr, Framasoft, FSF France, musique-libre.org and the ODEBI League.

The Senate is expected to continue debating the bill this week.