iTunes Music Store Europe - May 2004?

[MacRumors]

The most recent hints from Apple about the European version of their iTunes Music Store have placed its launch in 2004, based on comments from Steve Jobs after Apple Expo Paris.

And indeed, according to new information, Apple and the Record Labels are targetting May of 2004 as the current goal for the launch of the European iTunes Music Store.

As previously hinted, regional distribution legal issues have been complicating matters, and appear to account for the delay in deploying in the European market.

[Sheebahawk]

thats realistic for a guess. I expected it would take about as long when the north american store debuted.

I just wated to post first

[ryme4reson]

God Bless the US? Sorry to hear that EURO will be delayed.

[AmigoMac]

yuuuuuuuuupi! Great, but still 8 "Poisoned" months ....

[Wardofsky]

I'm still not cheering until it comes to Australia.
We do exist...

[freddiecable]

bring it on! we're waiting and we're going to boost the sales even more

[trilogic]

would be good for apple if they can launch there music service before anyone else.

[rikers_mailbox]

"One reason the RIAA strategy is having a limited effect is that the organization can pursue only file traders violating U.S. laws. Even if all Americans stop sharing their record collections on the Internet, millions of files would still be available from foreign swappers. Some forty percent of peer-to-peer users hail from overseas. And other national music-trade groups, like those in Britain and Australia, have said they have no current plans to file U.S.-style lawsuits."

Quoted from ::
http://www.rollingstone.com/news/new....asp?nid=18740

Is this one reason Apple is in no hurry for iTMS-Europe? I mean, think about it. Why should they RUSH to finish it when the users don't have to worry about "illegally" downloaded music? It's not worth their time and effort since it doesn't mean drastically increased revenues from iTMS.

just an observation. . .

-rik

[Nermal]

I'm not from Europe but I think this is worth sharing:

Earlier this year, a local computer magazine stated that Sony NZ and Universal NZ (I think) have spoken with Apple and iTMS is on track here for February 2004.

However, this month's issue of the same magazine says that Apple hasn't spoken to any record labels in NZ

[freddiecable]

even though I sometimes dl mp3s and such I will use iTunes Music Store when it hits Europe!

[leenoble]

Originally posted by Macrumors
As previously hinted, regional distribution legal issues have been complicating matters, and appear to account for the delay in deploying in the European market.

Translation: The record companies still want to screw the muppets in Britain for more money than the rest of the world...because they can.

[awulf]

Originally posted by Wardofsky
I'm still not cheering until it comes to Australia.
We do exist...

I have to agree with you on that one.

[vienna_one]

I hope that Apple will finally realize that Europe is worth to be considered in its business plans after the iTMS launch.

Not by soft facts but by record sales.

My credit card is waiting.

[Kamu-San]

I don't think that Apple is the problem (here), but the record companies.

[bluedalmatian]

I still think they're wrong treating europe as one country. launch it in each individual country as and when its possible rather than waiting to launch accross all countries simultaneously.

EUROPE IS NOT, AND NEVER WILL BE ONE COUNTRTY. IT IS NOT LIKE THE USA

[airbag]

It's really annoing: first, it took ages for the features in iPhoto to come to Europe (ordering prints, book), Sherlock is still of absolutely no value to us, and now: no itms!

But just think about it ... Europe:

Total countries: 42
Members of EU: 15
Current Eurozone: 12

For this to work, Apple has to do something revolutionary: they have to bring all these countries together - with their different copyright-laws and distribution-laws - and join them i one homogenous itms-system! This is obviosly not done over night!

Furthermore, for itms Europe to be a success, they have to offer a large library of local artists, from every single country!

And then you have Asia, Eurasia and the all rest....

I hope Apple is going for total world domination!!

[Tagada]

Originally posted by airbag
... Europe:

Total countries: 42
Members of EU: 15
Current Eurozone: 12
...

That's it, you got the explanation.

They are waiting may 2004 because EU members state will then jump to 25 !

[hvfsl]

The Apple store will need to be a lot cheaper than CDs or it will not be worth it for me. The problem is I use a Mac as a server with all my music on it, it is accessed by both Macs and PCs. But it I started buying Apple Store music, the other computers would not be able to access it because of the restrictions on the music.

The only thing that could solve it is if Apple's iTunes for Windows includes the same networking technology as in the Mac version. Otherwise I will just keep on buying CDs.

[caveman_uk]

Originally posted by airbag


But just think about it ... Europe:

Total countries: 42
Members of EU: 15
Current Eurozone: 12

For this to work, Apple has to do something revolutionary: they have to bring all these countries together - with their different copyright-laws and distribution-laws - and join them i one homogenous itms-system! This is obviosly not done over night!

Even if Apple started out with just the big countries UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain they'd still have a market rivalling the US in population terms. I know it's not fair on the smaller countries but isn't getting a foothold important here? If Apple gets these 5 sorted they can launch then start on the others

[airbag]

Originally posted by Tagada
That's it, you got the explanation.

They are waiting may 2004 because EU members state will then jump to 25 !

Perhaps, perhaps not... The Eurozone will still only include 12 countries ... and will remain so for some time as far as I know.

And: even the EU-members today don't necessarily share common laws when it comes to copyright etc.

I'm not sure if the inclusion of 10 more countries in the EU solves any of the problems...

[booshtukka]

well THAT sucks.

[airbag]

Originally posted by caveman_uk
Even if Apple started out with just the big countries UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain they'd still have a market rivalling the US in population terms. I know it's not fair on the smaller countries but isn't getting a foothold important here? If Apple gets these 5 sorted they can launch then start on the others

Yeah, you may be right! But then, why the delay?

Microsoft has already made its Microsoft Music Club available (initially only to England, Germany and France, but people in other countries can bypass that simply by changing the location-preferences in Explorer!).

And, a month ago, Virgin Megastore announced its online-store on virginmegastore.com - this one is for all European countries.

Both Virgin and MS sell music through the same, British distribution-company OD2, and are limited to OD2s library of some 200 000 songs - but if Apple just wanted to get in, they could probably make a deal with OD2 as well, don't you think?

No, I think Apple is using this time to come up with something so much better, it will wipe the competition off the map!

... i hope!

[MOFS]

Originally posted by airbag
Perhaps, perhaps not... The Eurozone will still only include 12 countries ... and will remain so for some time as far as I know.

And: even the EU-members today don't necessarily share common laws when it comes to copyright etc.

I'm not sure if the inclusion of 10 more countries in the EU solves any of the problems...

I still don't understand why the EU nations don't harmonise their laws like the copyright laws - that would make it so much easier and cheaper for all involved! I can't believe there's national pride re copyright laws...

Anyway, how come it takes 12months for them to sort the laws out? why don't they just do it in dribs and drabs? You know, the UK first (due to no need for translation-no other reason, honest!), then say Germany, France etc. It must be all down to Steve's penchance for the spectacular!

[elmimmo]

Originally posted by MOFS
I still don't understand why the EU nations don't harmonise their laws like the copyright laws

I, Spanish, do agree with you, but not because I think this has anything to do with iTMS. Because, IMHO, this has nothing to do with laws, but with record companies's per-country policies. Remeber our very "dear" Apple has different pricing policies por their computers depending on the country.

However, the answer to your question is as easy as the one to why all the countried in the world (which includes the USA) do not harmonise their laws like [insert] laws. Do you think it would be easier? Do you think it would be appropiate?

[airbag]

Originally posted by MOFS
I still don't understand why the EU nations don't harmonise their laws like the copyright laws - that would make it so much easier and cheaper for all involved! I can't believe there's national pride re copyright laws...

I don't think it's that simple. We're talking about 42 different countries with completely different cultures, and different interests. Recording artists in Italy don't necessarily want the same thing as those in Sweden ... It's not about pride, it's about protecting one's interests. Quite natural IMO.

I think, and hope, Apple plans to release itms to ALL European countries in one go - not because it's spectacular, but because it may be the right strategy to win over the marked!