France may say 'non' to iPhone deal

Link: French saying ‘non’ to Orange iPhone deal? – News – Tech.co.uk

Remember the recent announcement that France Telecom mobile unit Orange had got the exclusive deal for the iPhone in France? Things might not be as rosy as they seem – with the possibility that the iPhone won’t be launching there anytime soon.

It all boils down to the requirement that Apple have for network exclusivity and revenue sharing. French law states that mobile phones should be sold both with or without a contract – something that Apple aren’t too pleased about. According to reports Steve Jobs was already pretty peeved off with Orange’s unplanned announcements that they’d got the deal – but now this legal sticking point could completely kill off any hopes of the iPhone launching in France.

On the flip side, if Apple does proceed in France – and offers an unlocked contract-free iPhone – it could mean that the country becomes the hub for grey imports of the device.