EMI France and Fnac, one of France's biggest music retailers, have been accused by aFrench investigating magistrate of breaching French law in their efforts to prevent music piracy and copying, the FT's French sister paper Les Echos has learnt.

EMI France, a subsidiary of the UK music company, and Fnac, which is owned by luxury and retail group Pinault Printemps Redoute, have been accused of "deceit over the material qualities of goods" over selling audio compact discs that do not work on some car stereos and computers.