Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iTunes Europe Hurdles

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
70,411
42,047
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.
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2003/11/03/itunes-europe-hurdles/
Thats too bad

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.
 
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
 
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...
 
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."
 
Re: yes, Europe is NOT a country

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...
Click to expand...

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!
 
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!
Click to expand...

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

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.
 
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!
Click to expand...

Perhaps we could eat cake too?

Viv
 
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.
Click to expand...

I agree whole heartedly. Look at the separate pieces first.
 
what is europe?

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

but the european union should have the same legal issues in all the member countries.
 
Re: yes, Europe is NOT a country

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

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

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.
 
Yeah, RIGHT!

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!
Click to expand...

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.
 
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!
Click to expand...

HAR, HAR. :rolleyes: "They" don't want to.
 
Re: Re: yes, Europe is NOT a country

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.
Click to expand...

Well you're not. You are a "fjeldabe".
 
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 :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back