iTunes Europe Hurdles

MacRumors · Nov 3, 2003, 02:47 PM

A BizReport.com article reiterates the complexity of licensing for digital music in Europe.

Plans for a 2003 launch for the iTunes Music Store were delayed due to the regional licensing requirements - with the same artists potentially signed to different labels from country to country. According to analyst Mark Mulligan, "You can't go to a single place to get all the rights. To be able to deal with them requires physical traveling, a certain amount of negotiations expertise, and you need to be able to speak the native languages."

While Apple remains quiet about the iTunes Music Store Europe launch, according to recent sources, May 2004 is the European launch target date.

sabbath999 · Nov 3, 2003, 02:49 PM

As obvious as it sounds, it is hard enough to work out deals with ONE country, let alone a huge bunch of them.

robotrenegade · Nov 3, 2003, 02:51 PM

About time

Freakk123 · Nov 3, 2003, 03:00 PM

Thats too bad. While I don't live in Europe, it would be nice for all of you over there, and it would be great for apple.

mrsebastian · Nov 3, 2003, 03:12 PM

the real kicker would be if we were able to browse and order international music, after all this is the "world wide web".

rjstanford · Nov 3, 2003, 03:19 PM

As popular as it is to bash them these days, imagine what it would be like without the RIAA (and their counterparts) - orders of magnitude more complex. Not that they can't be an unrealistic pain sometimes, but they do provide a service without which stores like iTunes would be hard-pressed to exist competitively.

-Richard

eric67 · Nov 3, 2003, 03:35 PM

Yes, being an European, from one the of the european countries (next January, Europe = 25 countries , over 400 millions inhabitants), it is clear that even there are big unified system for regulation in Europe, music market from one country to another is like black and white. For historical reason, each country has a leader as msuic label company, once fighting on the European field, then of course some disppeared, or merged, but at the end there are still more companies to deal with for Apple in Europe tha in the State.
But still apart from marketing reason (Apple wishing to introduce iTunes to the biggest number of european countries); as it is the case now, it will be possible depending on the location of the iTunes client connecting to iTMS to find out if it is elligible to the iTMS service or not. iTMS could be available in France (where most of the market is own by the world leader, actually the french company Vivendi Universal), but not available in Spain... without any difference as it is for the moment : only available in the US, not for the rest of the world...

ryanw · Nov 3, 2003, 03:45 PM

By that time we should be using OSX 10.4 with features like, "Pick and choose the bands you like and iTunes will write songs that sound like ones from the bands you like."

billyboy · Nov 3, 2003, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eric67
in France (where most of the market is own by the world leader, actually the french company Vivendi Universal), but not available in Spain...

I hope Steve Jobs doesnt have to have a scrap with Jean Marie Messier to get iTunes into Europe. Gently does it Steve, he´ll outmanouvre you and end up owning Apple!

CrackedButter · Nov 3, 2003, 04:04 PM

Rather than introduce a "european" service why not introduce the store on a country by country basis, this will also generate constant interest and press coverage.

Maybe...

Phil Of Mac · Nov 3, 2003, 04:05 PM

Why don't they just move to the United States? They complain about our president and about not having iTMS. If they move here and get citizenship, they can solve both problems!

sethypoo · Nov 3, 2003, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Why don't they just move to the United States? They complain about our president and about not having iTMS. If they move here and get citizenship, they can solve both problems!

Lol, yeah, all those high and mighty Europeans could help us out.....and put their citizenship where their mouths are.

bluedalmatian · Nov 3, 2003, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Rather than introduce a "european" service why not introduce the store on a country by country basis, this will also generate constant interest and press coverage.

Exactly. They'd start generating revenue much quicker if they took each country separately. Europe isn't one country its a continent and any attempt to white wash everyone with the same brush will fail because its a legal and logistical nightmare.

Viv · Nov 3, 2003, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Why don't they just move to the United States? They complain about our president and about not having iTMS. If they move here and get citizenship, they can solve both problems!

Perhaps we could eat cake too?

Viv

Freg3000 · Nov 3, 2003, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bluedalmatian
Exactly. They'd start generating revenue much quicker if they took each country separately. Europe isn't one country its a continent and any attempt to white wash everyone with the same brush will fail because its a legal and logistical nightmare.

I agree whole heartedly. Look at the separate pieces first.

trilogic · 04:58 PM

there are some countries in europe that don't belong to europe.

but the european union should have the same legal issues in all the member countries.

redAPPLE · Nov 3, 2003, 05:17 PM

Don't Forget Canada (off-topic?)

kristianm · Nov 3, 2003, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by eric67
Yes, being an European, from one the of the european countries (next January, Europe = 25 countries , over 400 millions inhabitants)...

Please. Europe != European Union. Just like America != USA. I live in Norway and consider myself just as much an european as any member country of EU.

I agree that they should just introduce iTunes in one country (UK would probably be easy) and then the other ones can join if they want. Same rules, same price everywhere.

kristianm · Nov 3, 2003, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Why don't they just move to the United States? They complain about our president ...

I rather complain about the citizens resonsible for electing him. He is just doing what he is bought to do.

Sorry for off-topic rant.

Sol · Nov 3, 2003, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Why don't they just move to the United States? They complain about our president and about not having iTMS. If they move here and get citizenship, they can solve both problems!

You are just asking for a political discussion. In case you have not noticed, at least half of your own country is also complaining about your President.

As for iTunes in Europe, Apple should do it on a country by country basis. Depending on the country of your billing address, the iTunes Music Store should display a catalogue suited to that country.

One thing that I do not understand is how Microsoft can announce an online music store for Europe overnight and Apple, with the most succesful online music store, cannot do the same.

Phil Of Mac · Nov 3, 2003, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sol
You are just asking for a political discussion. In case you have not noticed, at least half of your own country is also complaining about your President.

I am too. It was a JOKE, okay?

sparks9 · Nov 4, 2003, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
Why don't they just move to the United States? They complain about our president and about not having iTMS. If they move here and get citizenship, they can solve both problems!

HAR, HAR.

"They" don't want to.

sparks9 · Nov 4, 2003, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by kristianm
Please. Europe != European Union. Just like America != USA. I live in Norway and consider myself just as much an european as any member country of EU.

Well you're not. You are a "fjeldabe".

Phil Of Mac · Nov 4, 2003, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sparks9
HAR, HAR. "They" don't want to.

Then "THEY" should shut up!

dekator · Nov 5, 2003, 10:20 AM

Well, it is true that there is no unified legislation for the issue at hand in Europe.
However, I'd think that Apple will start their iTMS in only a few countries at first.
As for the languages,it is, of course, no problem whatsoever to get an interpreter. Also, most or rather all actual negotiations can be done in English. Yepp, you'll need to read the legalese in the vernacular but that shouldn't be a problem. A company like Apple certainly entertains translators.
So this is actually not a point, but a joke.
(Although the fact that there is an Expo in Paris and Steve doesn't even speak French is highly embarrassing, it would seem to me, but well ;-).
No, the point is, I think, that Apple wants to have the iTMS available at the same time in as many European countries as possible.

On the other hand, there's still only one country in America where the iTMS is available...

Lastly: In case an Apple executive reads this. I'm a professional interpreter and would gladly help out in Germany. All I'd ask for is a G5 2x2GHz + a Cinema Display :-)

Nov 3, 2003, 02:47 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	iTunes Europe Hurdles A BizReport.com article reiterates the complexity of licensing for digital music in Europe. Plans for a 2003 launch for the iTunes Music Store were delayed due to the regional licensing requirements - with the same artists potentially signed to different labels from country to country. According to analyst Mark Mulligan, "You can't go to a single place to get all the rights. To be able to deal with them requires physical traveling, a certain amount of negotiations expertise, and you need to be able to speak the native languages." While Apple remains quiet about the iTunes Music Store Europe launch, according to recent sources, May 2004 is the European launch target date.

Nov 3, 2003, 02:49 PM	#2
sabbath999 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: rural Missouri	Europe is not a country As obvious as it sounds, it is hard enough to work out deals with ONE country, let alone a huge bunch of them.

Nov 3, 2003, 02:51 PM	#3
robotrenegade macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Greenville,SC	About time __________________ 60GB iPod \| 17" Mac Book Pro \| Mac OS 10.5.4 \| 8GB iphone

Nov 3, 2003, 03:12 PM	#5
mrsebastian macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: sunny san diego	the real kicker would be if we were able to browse and order international music, after all this is the "world wide web". __________________ [ding]

Nov 3, 2003, 03:35 PM	#7
eric67 macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: France, Europe	yes, Europe is NOT a country Yes, being an European, from one the of the european countries (next January, Europe = 25 countries , over 400 millions inhabitants), it is clear that even there are big unified system for regulation in Europe, music market from one country to another is like black and white. For historical reason, each country has a leader as msuic label company, once fighting on the European field, then of course some disppeared, or merged, but at the end there are still more companies to deal with for Apple in Europe tha in the State. But still apart from marketing reason (Apple wishing to introduce iTunes to the biggest number of european countries); as it is the case now, it will be possible depending on the location of the iTunes client connecting to iTMS to find out if it is elligible to the iTMS service or not. iTMS could be available in France (where most of the market is own by the world leader, actually the french company Vivendi Universal), but not available in Spain... without any difference as it is for the moment : only available in the US, not for the rest of the world...

Nov 3, 2003, 03:19 PM	#6
rjstanford macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Austin, TX	As popular as it is to bash them these days, imagine what it would be like without the RIAA (and their counterparts) - orders of magnitude more complex. Not that they can't be an unrealistic pain sometimes, but they do provide a service without which stores like iTunes would be hard-pressed to exist competitively. -Richard

Nov 3, 2003, 03:45 PM	#8
ryanw macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2003	May 2004? By that time we should be using OSX 10.4 with features like, "Pick and choose the bands you like and iTunes will write songs that sound like ones from the bands you like."

Nov 3, 2003, 04:04 PM	#10
CrackedButter macrumors 68030 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: 51st State of America	Rather than introduce a "european" service why not introduce the store on a country by country basis, this will also generate constant interest and press coverage. Maybe... __________________ "Absorb what is useful, Discard what is not, Add what is uniquely your own" - Bruce Lee http://jonathanjk.viewbook.com/

Nov 3, 2003, 04:05 PM	#11
Phil Of Mac Banned Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Washington State University	Why don't they just move to the United States? They complain about our president and about not having iTMS. If they move here and get citizenship, they can solve both problems!

Nov 3, 2003, 04:56 PM	#16
trilogic macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Switzerland	what is europe? there are some countries in europe that don't belong to europe. but the european union should have the same legal issues in all the member countries. Last edited by trilogic : Nov 3, 2003 at 04:58 PM.

Nov 3, 2003, 05:17 PM	#17
redAPPLE macrumors 68020 Join Date: May 2002 Location: 2 Much Infinite Loops	Three words... Don't Forget Canada (off-topic?)

Nov 5, 2003, 10:20 AM	#25
dekator macrumors regular Join Date: May 2002 Location: Krautistan	Yes and no Well, it is true that there is no unified legislation for the issue at hand in Europe. However, I'd think that Apple will start their iTMS in only a few countries at first. As for the languages,it is, of course, no problem whatsoever to get an interpreter. Also, most or rather all actual negotiations can be done in English. Yepp, you'll need to read the legalese in the vernacular but that shouldn't be a problem. A company like Apple certainly entertains translators. So this is actually not a point, but a joke. (Although the fact that there is an Expo in Paris and Steve doesn't even speak French is highly embarrassing, it would seem to me, but well ;-). No, the point is, I think, that Apple wants to have the iTMS available at the same time in as many European countries as possible. On the other hand, there's still only one country in America where the iTMS is available... Lastly: In case an Apple executive reads this. I'm a professional interpreter and would gladly help out in Germany. All I'd ask for is a G5 2x2GHz + a Cinema Display :-) __________________ malum meum bonum est

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