Australian iTunes Delayed...

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

The Courier Mail reports (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15177683%255E953,00.html) that the rumored iTunes Music Store which was expected (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/04/20050424131720.shtml) to be launched last Thursday was delayed by one major record company:

A source said yesterday Apple had planned to launch an Australian version of its popular online music store last Thursday, as widely touted, but the launch was thwarted by one unnamed major record company that refused to sign an agreement in time.

Apple consequently had to cancel radio ads for the expected launch. Several Australian users have been able to purchase select songs via iTunes for $1.69.

The status of the other planned international iTunes music stores is unknown.

[aussiemac86]

grrrrrr........ the longer they dont let apple open the aus iTMS the longer i wont pay for my music!!

[azdude]

Of......


....course.

[lordmac]

Lame, the music industry more specifically the record labels are really starting to annoy me they are being so greedy about it. HOnestly if they want to cut down on piracy and the like then they need to provide a easy leagl alternative and when another company trys to do that for them (apple) then they shouldn't hold it up the progress they (apple) making. :rolleyes:

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

That's typical... but why would this prevent the launch of iTMS Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden...? :confused: :mad:

[barneygumble]

Typical, record company's prob want $3 per track and no use burn rights

[iGary]

Anyone surprised? :rolleyes:

[cooknwitha]

I can't say I'm surprised. I know I'll just waste more money on it than I should but it would just be nice to have one!

And so marks my first post here. :D

[Dunepilot]

I must say that that sucks for you Aussies. I'm loving the instant gratification element to the iTMS - bought myself the new Nine Inch Nails album yesterday, which was a hell of a lot better than trying to find badly encoded, incomplete tracks of that stuff.

Hopefully it'll be sorted out soon.

Best wishes
Dune

[broken_keyboard]

That's typical... but why would this prevent the launch of iTMS Norway, Switzerland, Denmark and Sweden...? :confused: :mad:

Good question. Maybe the company is objecting in the other countries too? Sony?

Edit: I am thinking Sony may be the difficult one, because that would explain why no iTMS Japan at all.

[buseman]

Friggin' aussies :rolleyes:

[the_mole1314]

$1.69 AU = $1.20 US

Still heafty change. I wonder how big the catalouge is?

[.Andy]

I really hope when it opens it will give us the same conditions that it does everywhere else. I have a really bad feeling about it though :(.

And $1.69 sucks.

Three cheers for the free trade agreement.........:rolleyes:

[~Shard~]

The price seems quite high, that's really too bad...

[Mitthrawnuruodo]

$1.69 AU = $1.20 US

Still heafty change. I wonder how big the catalouge is?Well, the norwegian price will (most likely) be NOK 8 = US$ 1.28, at current exchange rates, so you're slightly better off than us... ;)

Of course the Norwegian price includes a 25% sales tax...

[asif786]

I really hope when it opens it will give us the same conditions that it does everywhere else. I have a really bad feeling about it though :(.

And $1.69 sucks.

Three cheers for the free trade agreement.........:rolleyes:

if you think AUS $1.69 sucks, think about us brits paing AUS $1.93 a track!

edit: my bad, forgot about vat. what's the australian sales tax?

[kwajo.com]

thinking of prices, I'm still thrilled everytime I think about the fact that we in Canada get songs for 99 cents CANADIAN, which is like 80 something cents US. :D

[matthutch]

if you think AUS $1.69 sucks, think about us brits paing AUS $1.93 a track!

edit: my bad, forgot about vat. what's the australian sales tax?

10% GST

[Timeline]

As a music maker, I hope the major labels contain subscription services and keep the iTunes sound bite sample model. I would not be surprised if this is what they are negotiating over.

Apple should stay with it's current sales methodology for the sake of the artist and music industry in general.

[bbyrdhouse]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

The Courier Mail reports (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15177683%255E953,00.html) that the rumored iTunes Music Store which was expected (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/04/20050424131720.shtml) to be launched last Thursday was delayed by one major record company:



Apple consequently had to cancel radio ads for the expected launch. Several Australian users have been able to purchase select songs via iTunes for $1.69.

The status of the other planned international iTunes music stores is unknown.

WHO CARES?
I have yet to d/l even 1 song from itms.

[tamtam]

Can't say I am surprised but this has been going on for too long now.

[Poff]

I don't see what the record companies are complaining about. It's a 2% market. The majority says they don't find it interesting because it is too expensive.

[Mord]

I really hope when it opens it will give us the same conditions that it does everywhere else. I have a really bad feeling about it though :(.

And $1.69 sucks.

Three cheers for the free trade agreement.........:rolleyes:

it's 10p lower than the uk ITMS, it's the worst here, 80p per track :(

WHO CARES?
I have yet to d/l even 1 song from itms.

then why the hell post here? seriously it's like walking into a pub and announcing you dont like drinking :rolleyes:.

[aussie_geek]

For goodness sake. The store should have opened already! Don't these stupid record companies realise that an iTunes music store will earn them MORE money??

You tell me - how many people these days go to the music store to get a cd eh? The only people I see in music stores these days are over 35's that are in there buying DVD's most of the time anyway. People are still getting music from somewhere.. Go figure :rolleyes:

There is too much red tape here and it is so big they don't know what to do with it except choke themselves and the industry. Just put yourself in an artist's shoes - you have a record contract and you write a song. It can be up for sale globally - the next day. Can you beat that using a conventional music outlet store? NO!! The idiots working in the CD distribution/recplication sector are still probably sitting on their backsides stoned on a Wednesday after last weekend's binge!! :D

You could launch a track or series of them on a national scale instantaneously. We are in the digital age now.. WAKE UP!!!!


aussie_geek

[kretzy]

I really hope when it opens it will give us the same conditions that it does everywhere else. I have a really bad feeling about it though :(.

And $1.69 sucks.

Three cheers for the free trade agreement.........:rolleyes:

I totally agree! $1.69 just doesn't seem like a very appealing price, like its not really that expensive, but i think it just seems off-putting to consumers, $0.99 would be awesome!

And like most other ppl here, I think its really foolish of the record companies resisting this, they have the oppurtunity to get at least something back for the music, which would otherwise be d/led for free.

Oh well their loss!

[riverfreak]

Delayed by an unnamed music company? Why not out these companies so that we can all decline to purchase from them. That should light a fire under their asses.

[Poff]

Delayed by an unnamed music company? Why not out these companies so that we can all decline to purchase from them. That should light a fire under their asses.

Why don't we just light a fire under their asses instead? literally. :D

[Bear]

$1.69 AU = $1.20 US

Still heafty change. I wonder how big the catalouge is?Although you may be comparing Apples to Koalas. The $.99 (US) price is before Sales Tax (which varies by loctaion in the US) - most other countries, the prices include GST or whatever the sales tax is called. So the $.99 (US) price will in most cases be higher for the actually purchaser.

Although that does leave the Aussie price still higher than the US price including taxes.

[Yvan256]

thinking of prices, I'm still thrilled everytime I think about the fact that we in Canada get songs for 99 cents CANADIAN, which is like 80 something cents US. :D

And, strangely enough, no taxes... :cool:

[ijimk]

Crikkeeeee mate its a bad day down under :p

[joelypolly]

Considering the avg price for a good CD in aus is around 25 bucks its pretty cheap.

[mkjellman]

WHO CARES?
I have yet to d/l even 1 song from itms.


I care..i'm in the US have no connections to the AUS. I have bought close to 900 songs from the Apple store...(some were with gift certificates)

there are people who want this so please don't think so short sided and respect the ways people want to spend their money

[samh004]

Can't believe it's still being held up :(

But it is their loss as I can download from other places for free and get good quality... what can I say, these record companies are idiots, well at least one is :rolleyes:

[samh004]

Considering the avg price for a good CD in aus is around 25 bucks its pretty cheap.


That's true, there are outrageous prices for singles too... I saw close to AUD$5 per single on sanity :o

[conditionals]

Delayed by an unnamed music company? Why not out these companies so that we can all decline to purchase from them. That should light a fire under their asses.

EMI. Think about it, it fits with the copy control policies they tried to push on us (no ripping of CDs equates to EMI having issues with the 7 iTms burn rights).

Also I say 'tried' because notice how copy controlled cds are mysteriously disappearing? Another victory for logic and awesomeness!

[mcdermd]

Although you may be comparing Apples to Koalas. The $.99 (US) price is before Sales Tax (which varies by loctaion in the US)

Unless you're in one of the United States that has no sales tax. $.99=$.99 here in Oregon. :D

[zv470]

EMI. Think about it, it fits with the copy control policies they tried to push on us (no ripping of CDs equates to EMI having issues with the 7 iTms burn rights).

Also I say 'tried' because notice how copy controlled cds are mysteriously disappearing? Another victory for logic and awesomeness!

I was going to mention EMI, infact I'd bet a lot on it. They are the worst. EMI / Capitol / Virgin... argh, they all have Copy-Protection discs in New Zealand. There is music I want to buy... but I can't because it's copy protected.

I bought a CD and my Mac wouldn't even read the disc, made horrible noises until it threw the disc out. I bought another EMI disc and it sounded worse than tape... unless I used the included Mac Player :(

[pkis]

Good question. Maybe the company is objecting in the other countries too? Sony?

Edit: I am thinking Sony may be the difficult one, because that would explain why no iTMS Japan at all.

A spokesman for the Swiss rights owners association (SUISA) last week said that all treaties were signed - as far as Switzerland goes, they're ready to roll.

[bbyrdhouse]

I care..i'm in the US have no connections to the AUS. I have bought close to 900 songs from the Apple store...(some were with gift certificates)

there are people who want this so please don't think so short sided and respect the ways people want to spend their money


Gee Wiz! I had no idea folks would take my thoughts so seriously. Perhaps I should have said I DON'T CARE! :D :D

[winmacguy]

if you think AUS $1.69 sucks, think about us brits paing AUS $1.93 a track!

edit: my bad, forgot about vat. what's the australian sales tax?

12.5% GST I think which is based on the New Zealand GST system aka Grab, Snatch and Take (Goods and Services Tax)

[davey-nb]

12.5% GST I think which is based on the New Zealand GST system aka Grab, Snatch and Take (Goods and Services Tax)

We have GST in Canada too (15%) but iTunes do not charge us any tax.
We're billed ¢.99 CDN and that's all.
I keep expecting additional charges to show up later but they never do!

[mac_fiend]

Great, another delay to the iTunes store down under.

Stay tuned for next weeks installment to the Australian iTunes music store fiasco where yet another unnamed source causes yet another delay.

[smurfjammer]

12.5% GST I think which is based on the New Zealand GST system aka Grab, Snatch and Take (Goods and Services Tax)

Nope, it's only 10% - 12.5% was too hard to figure out :D

[fatbarstard]

IMHO The Courier Mail would have to be one of the worst newspapers around... so I don't believe anything I read in that newspaper... even the cartoons. I lived in Brisbane for two years so I know what I am talking about...

ON the tax thing.. it is a tricky one. US prices don't include sales tax and other state tax 'specials' becuase these vary from state to state... how this works for credit cards I don't know but I assume the tax would be based on the address of the card holder....

Here in Helengrad (don't ask) we have a GST on everything - no exemptions apart from financial transacitons (bank fees, interest). So NZ prices need to be adjusted for this when comparing with other countries. Canda has a weird GST where some things are taxed and some aren't - silly.

I can well imagine one record company pulling out on the basis that they believe that they can get an advantage over the others and try and 'screw the scrum'. Idiots. It will never work.

Stupid legal tactics like that usually end in failure becuase they leave their run too late.

[aswitcher]

Considering the avg price for a good CD in aus is around 25 bucks its pretty cheap.


True - ish. But then you get lossy or up to 320kbps...not 128kbps.

And many slightly older CDs (1 Year+) are cheaper, some to be found for $10 AUD in some cheaper stores. Plus mixed CDs like JJJ top 100 are $35 for 2 discs worth of good tracks...less than a buck a track.

[tizza]

Friggin' aussies :rolleyes:
Yeah well what can we say ... we're as annoyed as anyone :( I truly don't know how much longer I can cope with this waiting ...

[trailblazer]

may 14th.
i already said it.

[Aussie John]

if $US0.99=A$1.54

add 10%GST $1.54>>> $1.69
Therefore price is exactly the same

GST= Goods and services tax for non aussies

[aussiemac86]

if $US0.99=A$1.54

add 10%GST $1.54>>> $1.69
Therefore price is exactly the same

GST= Goods and services tax for non aussies

US$0.99=AUD1.54......that is an exchange rate of US0.64, it hasnt been that low for months and months the present exchange rate has been steady around US0.78

Which gives US$0.99=AUD$1.26 + 10% =$1.39

I know they need to give a bit of leewaay for the exchange rate but 14c...i dont think so.

[Bonobo]

Mh, AUS $1.69 are EUR 1.017, what I pay per song in Germany is EUR 0.99, so there isn't really a big difference (0.027 EUR).

But: poor Brits, they seem to be at the end of the iTMS food chain.


Best, Tom

[Maxiseller]

Firstly, I'm going to do all calculations and costs in british pounds so you'll have to excuse that;

The record industry is at a low at the moment. So many millions of people are downloading tracks illegally it's untrue - and it's not because tracks are overpriced - it's just because we can get them for free elsewhere. Who should pay for a track when they can get it free right? Incidentally, I use "we" here because I too admit to downloading tracks for free - but this is not a good thing and it is genuinely screwing up the music business.

Here in the UK, 79p a track is what it costs us. It's a lot cheaper elsewhere. Factor in the pehnominal overhead costs of the massive record companies, artists royalies (bear in mind, artists will typically receive only 15% after packaging deductions and that's after they've paid off any advances - which is monies companies give artists to go ahead and make the tracks) So, you're looking at around 10p to the artist IF they sell over 200,000 copies or whatever they need to pay off their advance and the record companies get around 65p. Thats 65p, but then take off 200,000 (VERY rough figures but none the less entirely plausable) for recording costs, advertising, music videos (now less frequent) legal costs etc. They're not earning a lot.

It's unfair to just stick the blame on the big companies. Indeed, one user suggested that we all "ignore" these companies records and simply not buy off them, but that is next to impossible as all the "independent" companies are mostly owned by larger organizations to gain more freedom anyway!

All in all, everyone in here who downloads illegal music is to blame for the problems we're seeing here in record companies trying to screw apple for more profit. Who can blame them when around 50% of distribution is free music, and only a handful of copies are being shifted in stores accross the world. It's a sad thing to think that music production is being slowed. Record companies simply don't have the risk factor to take on hundreds of new artists anymore and ironically, this is where the majority of their revenue comes from (in being famous and carrying on the life of new artists replacing old). What we could see unless P2P applications like Limewire are banished well and truly, is a complete shutdown in record production, and endless releases of a new Destinys Child compilation album. Who wants this?

Pay up. I deleted my entire library of illegal downloads and started afresh. It's still legal to rip my CD's and so Ive still got a nice volume of tracks. I think downloadable music is certainly the way to go, and Apple has the most stable platform but in truth, I think we should be charged more. Singles after all are £3 here in the UK, and so 79p a track to me, an artist and composer myself, is a bargain. After all, don't the folks who record your music deserve 10p for your lifelong enjoyment? Give them a break.

[dotdotdot]

WHO CARES?
I have yet to d/l even 1 song from itms.

So then uh... how should I put this?

Well, click the little button that says "Forum," or "Back" and leave the thread.

I bet you even gave it a negative rating... well a lot of people who are pissed did also, but...

[Alasta]

may 14th.
i already said it.

I can't help wondering if the record company in question has insisted on extra DRM restrictions before they sign on the dotted line. If so, then it's possible that Apple is working on adding functionality into iTunes 4.8 to support this, which would add weight to the theory that the Music Store will be launched at the same time as iTunes 4.8.

I personally suspect that all of the new Music Stores will be launched at the same time as iTunes 4.8 anyway, in order to gain as much publicity as possible. Why else would they be holding back the launch of the new European stores?

[samh004]

A spokesman for the Swiss rights owners association (SUISA) last week said that all treaties were signed - as far as Switzerland goes, they're ready to roll.

I would assume they wont to roll out all 5 (?) new stores together... that way the choose store page will be symmetrical :p

So everyone is waiting on Australia now..

[samh004]

I would also assume they will need iTunes 4.8 to support the new stores, even though many individuals got into the store through version 4.7.

[pkis]

I can't help wondering if the record company in question has insisted on extra DRM restrictions before they sign on the dotted line. If so, then it's possible that Apple is working on adding functionality into iTunes 4.8 to support this, which would add weight to the theory that the Music Store will be launched at the same time as iTunes 4.8.

I personally suspect that all of the new Music Stores will be launched at the same time as iTunes 4.8 anyway, in order to gain as much publicity as possible. Why else would they be holding back the launch of the new European stores?

Well, considering the fact that no other online music store in Switzerland is able to sell songs with similarly lax DRM, this could very well be the case. All others have DRM that allow for the songs to be transfered to external devices (e.g. an iPod) only 5 times. Songs may be burned once and can only be used on two different computers. It would have been sensational to see that Apple could negotiate contracts for the same (relatively) lax DRM scheme they use in other countries - but I was doubting that from the very beginning as the other online stores would jump the industry if they didn't get the same rights.

Well, if this turns out to be true, I don't care anymore if the store is delayed again or is entirely cancelled - I won't buy anything that I can transfer to my iPod only 5 times anyway.

[sluthy]

The Courier Mail reports (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,15177683%255E953,00.html) that the rumored iTunes Music Store which was expected (http://www.macrumors.com/pages/2005/04/20050424131720.shtml) to be launched last Thursday was delayed by one major record company...
Really? One label? But whoever could it... *cough*EMI*cough* ...be? :mad:

Buggers have held me back from buying:
Finn Brothers
Chemical Brothers (prob wasn't going to buy anyway)
The Music
THE BEATLES (!)
Superjesus
The Cat Empire
The Living End
A Perfect Circle
and now the new Coldplay and the soon-to-be-released WaveAid DVD/CD (which I REALLY want to get - I was there :( )

PS. Has anyone visited the EMI Australia website (MUSICHEAD)? Daaamn, it's slow, hangs up every browser I use for a good 5 sec every click...

[Alasta]

Well, considering the fact that no other online music store in Switzerland is able to sell songs with similarly lax DRM, this could very well be the case.
<snip>
Well, if this turns out to be true, I don't care anymore if the store is delayed again or is entirely cancelled - I won't buy anything that I can transfer to my iPod only 5 times anyway.

Totally agree. It would seriously cripple the service.

If they did limit the number of times that you can transfer to your iPod, then those of us using iPod Shuffles and Minis would have to ditch them in favour of iPods that can hold an entire music collection. And what happens once you've replaced your iPod five times?

Considering the amount of money that I have spent on CDs in the last ten years, I have the attitude that music purchased today should last a limetime.

[Swissfondue]

Totally agree. It would seriously cripple the service.

If they did limit the number of times that you can transfer to your iPod, then those of us using iPod Shuffles and Minis would have to ditch them in favour of iPods that can hold an entire music collection. And what happens once you've replaced your iPod five times?

Considering the amount of money that I have spent on CDs in the last ten years, I have the attitude that music purchased today should last a limetime.

This is getting to become wild speculation. I don't see why a drm based pricing policy agreed to by all the majors and many independents and applied in 20 countries, will suddenly be called into question by the same major(s) in a 21st country.

The delay has probably to do with money or spite or patching the drm. But I don't see why the existing number of users/sharing, downloads and playlist burn limits will be changed because of Australia or Switzerland.

[PlaceofDis]

perhaps the record labels want Apple to have different DRMs for different countries now.... that could be a reason for the hold up as well.... or of course money issues, which is no surprise.....

i just hope to see a good update sometime soon..

[imz]

Considering the avg price for a good CD in aus is around 25 bucks its pretty cheap.

I usually get my CDs from Kmart for about $18 to $21, but for imports JB Hifi is the choice (but quite exxy...got a U2 single there for $10!). Can't wait till OZ iTMS is available....wanna get my hands on the Complete U2 collection (even though I have all their CDs...but NEED to get those B-Sides and unreleased/rare tracks!!!)...*drool*

Maybe Bono can meet up with EMI or SONY or whoever and give em a piece of his mind on corporate greed...

[conditionals]

Maybe Bono can meet up with EMI

Only if he's strapped with explosives and beakers of acid to throw at them.

Man I've dreamed about taking EMI down for years... this only adds fuel to my beach-grade bonfire.

[pkis]

This is getting to become wild speculation. I don't see why a drm based pricing policy agreed to by all the majors and many independents and applied in 20 countries, will suddenly be called into question by the same major(s) in a 21st country.

The delay has probably to do with money or spite or patching the drm. But I don't see why the existing number of users/sharing, downloads and playlist burn limits will be changed because of Australia or Switzerland.

yes, clearly this is only speculation. However, it's a fact that every single one of the competitors currently selling songs over the internet in Switzerland uses the exactly same DRM scheme with the exactly same limitations. While a year ago this wasn't very surprising as all vendors had OD2-based shops, now it is: exlibris and Migros don't use OD2 but have their own catalogues but still they have to sell the songs with the exactly same DRM limitations - indicating that the latter, indeed, were imposed by the music industry. I don't think it's too far fetched to say that Apple will have to play by the same rules. I honestly wish Apple will bring the same DRM to Switzerland that is employed in the other countries. I'm also expecting this to some degree.
BUT: should it turn out that Apple has the same limitations as the WMA-based shops, iTMS Switzerland is going to be totally worthless - not only to me but to most people.

[pmoeser]

Mh, AUS $1.69 are EUR 1.017, what I pay per song in Germany is EUR 0.99, so there isn't really a big difference (0.027 EUR).

But: poor Brits, they seem to be at the end of the iTMS food chain.


Best, Tom

Silly me, I thought Brittain was part of the EU! Why are they still using that outdated and expensive Sterling still?

Maybe Tony will push it through in his last term?

[Swissfondue]

...BUT: should it turn out that Apple has the same limitations as the WMA-based shops, iTMS Switzerland is going to be totally worthless - not only to me but to most people.

I agree. I'd continue buying CDs (only the non-drm'd ones) or use alternatives.

[aussie_geek]

Totally agree. It would seriously cripple the service.

If they did limit the number of times that you can transfer to your iPod, then those of us using iPod Shuffles and Minis would have to ditch them in favour of iPods that can hold an entire music collection. And what happens once you've replaced your iPod five times?

Considering the amount of money that I have spent on CDs in the last ten years, I have the attitude that music purchased today should last a limetime.


Play the track once and Audio Hijack iTunes. Convert the AIFF to aac, (from Audio Hijack) and re - import it into iTunes..... :D

I doubt they will bring the 5 song copy limit in. If they do, you can easily work around it :cool:

aussie_geek

[Alasta]

Play the track once and Audio Hijack iTunes. Convert the AIFF to aac, (from Audio Hijack) and re - import it into iTunes..... :D

I doubt they will bring the 5 song copy limit in. If they do, you can easily work around it :cool:

Yea, I figured there would probably be some trick to overcome it.

Excessive DRM limitations tend to inconvenience the user without really doing much to prevent piracy. That was certainly the case with EMI's stupid "copy protected" CDs.

[aswitcher]

Really? One label? But whoever could it... *cough*EMI*cough* ...be? :mad:

Buggers have held me back from buying:
Finn Brothers
Chemical Brothers (prob wasn't going to buy anyway)
The Music
THE BEATLES (!)
Superjesus
The Cat Empire
The Living End
A Perfect Circle
and now the new Coldplay and the soon-to-be-released WaveAid DVD/CD (which I REALLY want to get - I was there :( )

PS. Has anyone visited the EMI Australia website (MUSICHEAD)? Daaamn, it's slow, hangs up every browser I use for a good 5 sec every click...

I heard it was whoever Sony is involved with locally...is that EMI?

[ZLurker]

Since im sitting in Sweden, I haven't had the oppertunity to buy from ITMS but how does the DRM work, how does it keep track of how many copies you made? Can you look at the file info to see how many times its been copied?

[pmoeser]

...to find out which company is holding this up?
I tried to email APRA and EMI and no one is answering.
I just wish we knew for sure who it was so that we could get some people power happening to push this along.
No record company is ever going to get money from me through a shop.
They will get lots from me when I can buy the songs I want without having to have songs I don't want on discs I have no storage space for.
(Kids have taken over my house!)
The only people losing out of this are the artists and the record companies.

[Chuck_E_Wonkers]

Until the record companies leave off with their DRM and bit rates of tracks go up to at least 192kbps and the price of 1.70$ Aus dollars per track is dropped by at least 50% hopefully more (I know I'm dreaming)......I won't be buying a thing....

My freinds and I have set up an elegant solution we have a music swapping network amongst about 20 or so of us.( my collection at present as a result is up to about 12,500 tracks not bad huh---all at high bit rates without DRM)
I'd like to purchase more music but refuse to line record company pockets,,,,

They R GREEDY GREEDY GREEDY SCUM.....

How much does the artist really get.......a pittance I'm sure.
I can't wait for the day when all music is recorded by the artist and uploaded to services like iTunes (who I hope will just recieve an admistration fee) and inturn the royalties go straight back to the musics creators THE ARTISTS.

CUT OUT THE MIDDLE MAN.......

Down with record companies.....

Record companies have forced global piracy on a large scale through flat out greed and an inability to provide many artists entire back catalogues to the public who crave more diversity and better value in terms of shelve price per unit.
Why should we the public be paying record company executives salaries.....I really can't think of a reason..The technologies exist now for the artist to record and promote themselves without big brother record exec taking most of the cash for the slimey advances they hand out.
They call themselves Record Execs, why don't they call themselves what they really are.
A person who profits from anothers gift and takes most of the cash I believe in most societies is called a PIMP.

BURN PIMP BURN

[Oddie]

if you think AUS $1.69 sucks, think about us brits paing AUS $1.93 a track!

edit: my bad, forgot about vat. what's the australian sales tax?


10%gst

[CrissCross]

I can't help wondering if the record company in question has insisted on extra DRM restrictions before they sign on the dotted line. If so, then it's possible that Apple is working on adding functionality into iTunes 4.8 to support this, which would add weight to the theory that the Music Store will be launched at the same time as iTunes 4.8.

I personally suspect that all of the new Music Stores will be launched at the same time as iTunes 4.8 anyway, in order to gain as much publicity as possible. Why else would they be holding back the launch of the new European stores?

--------------------------------
Well dudes you again are on the money but it goes further than you will believe. What would you say if someone said that the delay is a negotiation on a fee for the paying of the preview track?

[pmoeser]

I would say I'm not surprised at all.
They just don't get it.
Why aren't the parent companies doing something about this.
Another day goes by another dollar they don't get.
So much for a free trade agreement

[win_convert]

Unnamed record company? I bet it's a crap one like Capital with like three major acts gumming up the works.

[cutcat]

Rumour has it that one record company has stalled iTunes Australia's launch. Is it Mushroom Records petty self interest that has stalled the process for music loving Australians? If so I personally will never purchase a Mushroom/Gudinski owned track!!!! Grow up Australian Music Industry, the world's passing you by!