iTunes Europe?

octane

octane

I have issues, OK!
This just in from Mac Rumors:

The worldwide launch of Apple's iTunes Music store remains a mystery.

Apple has previously announced/hinted at the upcoming availability of the iTunes Music Store in Japan and Europe. Apple has also been clearly pursuing licensing agreements in Canada as far back as October 2003.

While the most recent expectations have placed a European launch for "the first half of 2004", a recent report seems to indicate that it may not meet this mark.

Apple is reportedly working on a European-wide deal to provide a consistent and uniform Music Store. However, regional licensing fees and distribution of those fees remain to be an obstacle. As a result, word is that the launch-goal may fall as far back as August 2004... but this remains a moving target. In the meanwhile, other companies may have more luck launching regional versions of their online music stores.
Click to expand...

I think Apple are on a hiding to nothing, here.

Maybe the goal of a pan-European launch is just impractical and they should just go for single-nation setups instead.

Yes, the music industry is a bit of mess, and yes, if anyone can put steam in the step of moozac moguls, Apple can .. but...

[rant]

I want iTunes Music Store in England AND I WANT IT NOW!..

[/rant]
 
Indeed. Maybe they should have gone with the UK and say France and Germany first, then tried to make it Europe wide, it's quite ambitious.
 
What countries have the most dense legalese when it comes to copyrights? I would think the UK would be the hardest because of the different labels and copyrights for so many of the acts involved, iTMS being mostly English-based.
I could see a mini-uproar if the UK got it last if it were done on a nation-to-nation basis there.
Now, I wonder about Canada. Or Mexico? Can they use the iTMS? No uproar about the need for a Canadian iTMS.
 
Well, it's taking a bit long now, I think. After all, I could care less about how every European country (and I'm counting in Switzerland this time ;-)) has different contracts and stuff. I just want my iTMS. I mean: We're willing to pay for online music downloads and are unable to. Gives two options: Download or buy offline. Sad choice.
 
For those of us out there awaiting iTMS, try the new Warp Records online store. It's great. Not only have the Designers Republic created a wonderful & easy-to-use site but the choons are damn fine to boot.
http://www.warprecords.com/bleep
I'm downloading some Nightmares On Wax stuff as I type.
Oh, and iTMS? I wouldn't be suprised if it goes the way of the UK/European version of the photobook in iPhoto. I wish I could say differently especially as the reason citied as to why mac users can't download the new single from Zero 7 on their site is that, and I quote, "We apologise to all Apple Mac users but due to the need to copy protect the tracks the Zero 7 download of 'Home' is available only as a DRM'd Windows Media File. Unfortunately this will not work on Apple Mac computers. Apple's DRM protection system has not been made available for use by anyone outside of itunes, until this DRM protection is available, we cannot release secure download singles that are available for Apple Mac users." I never thought I'd say this but "nice one Apple!". (Where's the sarcasm button on this keyboard?)
 
How does using a Windows Media file ensure copy protection? Sounds more like a Zero than a 0 7. iTunes can be played on a Mac, or on Windows. I'm sure geniuses are running that website *sarcasm button engaged*.
 
Well to be fair I don't give a s*** about the why's or wherefore's. I tried to download the file anyway, paid £1.50 for the priveledge too, and it doesn't work on a mac. A mate tried it on his pc and he's as happy as a pig in s***!
 
Let me just step in here at this point , I smell napalm!

Gigapet, thanks for that, hope your friend really is as happy as porcine in poo poo.

Randman, let's not get all eaten up about this.

Point is, Apple are working on it .. let's all hold hands and have a big old group hug and pray for Apple .. let's do that people! :rolleyes:
 
*hug*. You make a fine diplomat, Octane. Now if you could get the lawyers in Europe to get along. :) Besides, gigapet, while a Yank, I'm abroad right now (but still purchasing legally from the iTMS) so I can understand your frustrations more than you might think. And there's a little cafe near Notre Dame in Paris with the best croissants. A close second, in my book, would be in Hanoi, of all places.
 
Every pan European initiative takes ages, there is too much red tape and everyone speaks different languages, has different and conflicting laws, etc. I Would be surprised if we saw iTMS pan Europe this year. I can't be bothered to count them all but there are around 30 countries in Europe and they are whole countries not just states like in the USA. It is an immense task for Apple to launch a European music store. Its much more likely that its launched in a few countries i.e. Ireland, UK, France, Germany, Spain etc. first.
 
I can see no reason why an EU wide iTunes should be a problem though.

I thought it was supposed to be a free trade zone, and so setting it up in any EU company would mean it would be allowed to sell music throughout the EU.
 
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