German finance minister proposes Net business tax

Hans Eichel, the German Federal Minister of Finance, demanded at a meeting of the European Union Ministers of Finance in Luxembourg, a uniform value added tax on all Internet businesses. The tax should be introduced for all digital contents such as software, videos, and music, which customers can download in the European Union. So far these products come without value added tax and therefore are cheaper than in real shops.

Eichel hopes to reach an agreement at the next meeting of the European Union Ministers of Finance in November. Full story in German. -- ZDNet Germany