iPod ipod nano + artwork, why CC in itunes ?

[ps56k]

just received the latest ipod nano 16GB - not sure of the current generation as of June 2009...
Anyway, downloaded the latest itunes, and was doing the install, etc.

When it came to "artwork", the itunes software wanted a credit card.
Is the automatic download of the artwork billable from itunes ?

Just wondering what the current scenario is,
as the whole artwork thing is more recent than the other ipods in the house.

 

[Koronis]

It asks for a credit card when you create an iTunes store account, you won't be charged money for downloading album artwork, only if you actually purchase something