In Germany you actually pay a tax for empty data storage and the writing machine (as described here [1], and here [2] (with prices in German)). For example, an

In Germany you actually pay a tax for empty data storage and the writing machine (as described here [1], and here [2] (with prices in German)). For example, an external harddrive ≥ 1 TB will cost you 9.00 € in tax. This is supposed to cover personal copies (but does not give you the right to circumvent copy protection). [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_copying_levy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_copying_levy [2] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauschalabgabe https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauschalabgabe edit: Just saw the prices for mobile phones with touchscreen and over 8 GB storage: 36,00 €! Wow.