iTunes Music Store for Europe - Next Year

[MacRumors]

A Reuters article reports on Apple Expo Paris, but provides some new information on Apple's plans for the iTunes Music Store.

When questioned about the launch of the iTunes Music Store for Europe, Jobs replied "We're clearly working on it (but) I think we'll do it next year". Distribution rights are cited as the reason for the delay.

Jobs did reiterate that iTunes for Windows would be coming this year and claimed "We're very much on track to execute iTunes for Windows".

Meanwhile, the most recent rumors have pointed towards an October release for iTunes for Windows.

 

[pbooker]

I realize we're not as big a market as Europe, but anyone have an idea on when iTMS is coming to Canada?

 

[Stella]

Obviously Apple haven't tried hard enough to get it released this year.

I'm sure if they tried hard enough, they would have got it out for some countries.

But no.... dragging their heels.

I would be surprised to ever see an international iTunes.

I'd be very surprised to see an Australian version. Sorry, I just don't see it: looking at recent reports to how Apple treat that part of the world - they can bearly get their products over there.

 

[woodsey]

This is not good news!

I think they should have pushed to release at the same time as the Mac Music Store

 

[dho]

good new and bad news.

Was this an official statement?

 

[deepkid]

A very difficult animal to breed.

Having my own record label has taught me how tangled a business web content licensing can be.

I realize that many are frustrated and want to shop on iTMS, but if you had to read through and comprehend even the shortest contract that's often used between parties (artists, record labels, publishers, distributors), you'd understand why Apple appears to be taking a long time.

In fact, it's just the opposite considering how liberal the usage rights of iTMS is (from a major record label's perspective, mind you).

It truly is incredible that they've been able to offer such low, flat pricing and across the board terms with the major labels in the U. S.

Hopefully this will add to the momentum of establishing similar services in other territories, but the laws are different and are the epitome of bureaucracy.

Be thankful that you're just a music lover and collector. You're shielded from a lot of headaches and frustration.

 

[jimthorn]

I'll just be glad to see my Windows friends using iTunes, especially the ones with iPods. It's one step closer to them converting to Mac.

 

[settledown]

steve said "execute itunes for windows"

does he mean kill the project?

 

[MacFan26]

Perhaps it has something to do with the Apple vs. Apple suit? I think it's more important right now to get the iTMS out for Windows in the US, and then release it in other countries.

 

[BevvyB]

the reuters link is down

 

[isgoed]

Prices

I was hoping for an European launch before windows.

One of the problems might be the pricing of the songs. Since the price drop of CD's in America, CD's in the Netherlands are now priced three times as high as american CD's. I surely not see songs priced at 0.99€. More likely 1.50€ or even 2.00€ per song.

And are there even plans for iTMS on other continents? Sure they can be a huge market...

 

[DeusOmnis]

I dont live in europe, i dont see why ppl cares about it so much. I think the next time those ppl are born, they should pick a better spot.

 

[Phil Of Mac]

See, that's why Apple Legal didn't manage to avoid the Apple Corps lawsuit. They were too busy trying to negotiate in Europe!

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."

 

[DeusOmnis]

Re: Prices

Originally posted by isgoed
I was hoping for an european launch before windows.

One of the problems might be the pricing of the songs. Since the price of a CD in America, CD's are now three times as expensive than where I live (netherlands). I surely not see songs priced at 0.99€. More likely 1.50€ or even 2.00€ per song.

And are there even plans for iTMS on other continents? Sure they can be a huge market...

Dont those prices have something to do w/ taxes?

 

[DeusOmnis]

Originally posted by Phil Of Mac
See, that's why Apple Legal didn't manage to avoid the Apple Corps lawsuit. They were too busy trying to negotiate in Europe!

"The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers."

I'm not sure how you "avoid" a lawsuit... to me it seems that as soon as it's filed, you're screwed.

Besides, Apple Computer said they "needed" a court to settle the issue. Perhaps they did try to settle it before that.

 

[Kalomir]

I dont live in europe, i dont see why ppl cares about it so much. I think the next time those ppl are born, they should pick a better spot.

That's a rule of thumb I decided not to follow... as I am French I've watched Jobs talking in this entertainment show, saying nothing much new actually, yet I confirm that as he was asked if the ITMS was to be expected in France soon, he answered "we'll first make it available to Windows users in the US" or stg like that.

He didn't give any more indication on that issue I think ; and THEN he said ITMS could come to Yurop too (couldn't actually say France) but nevertheless it seemed to be a far perspective. At least six more months, he made some gestures about right owners that differ in US and Yurop,I didn't get it all...

 

[Wonder Boy]

an october release? sure, along with panther

 

[plastree]

There's no reason for Apple to "drag their heels" on this issue. There's a lot of money to be made. I'm sure they would have released ITMS in Europe already if the legal stuff was worked out. Making deals with labels representing all those countries has got to take a lot of time. If anyone's to blame for the delay, I'd bet on the labels.

 

[Kalomir]

There's a lot of money to be made. I'm sure they would have released ITMS in Europe already if the legal stuff was worked out.

I do agree with you, actually I only was disappointed because this TV show took place on (Messier's late) Universal TV-owned Canal + ; that is to say, I expected Jobs to come there precisely to announce to the general public this legal stuff had been worked out in France, in one of his partner's TV shows.

 

[Stella]

Re: Re: Prices

Thats lame.

manufacturers blame *everything* in Europe being higher priced than the US due to Taxes.

So lame excuse. The fact that when you:

1. Remove the taxes from a product
2. Convert currency to US$

The prices are still higher than the raw US$ speaks

Originally posted by DeusOmnis
Dont those prices have something to do w/ taxes?

<edit to correct crappy grammar!!>

 

[utkucan]

next year - that's longtins

 

[hvfsl]

I expect it also has something to do with the Beatle's Apple in the UK. Maybe they have an injunktion (i cant spell, sorry) against Apple Computers to stop them releasing anything music related in Europe.

If this is true I think European Mac users should get together and sue the Beatles for stopping us downloading music and using our Macs to their full in the EU.

 

[Freg3000]

I don't think there is that much money to be made. There is a nice amount, but only a few million However, there is a ton of publicity to be earned; priceless publicity.

 

[thies]

Pardon me, but why does it take longer to negotiate in europe? Last time I checked the major labels are international entities and there is only a handful of them. With those few agreements have already been reached in the US, if you have an agreement there, you can reach one for the rest of the world at the same time as long as you aren't an inept negotiator.
Conclusion: the delay can not be due to licensing issues but is more likely to blame on Apple.

 

[arn]

Originally posted by thies
With those few agreements have already been reached in the US, if you have an agreement there, you can reach one for the rest of the world at the same time as long as you aren't an inept negotiator.
Conclusion: the delay can not be due to licensing issues but is more likely to blame on Apple.

This is not true.

https://www.macrumors.com/pages/2003/05/20030502131829.shtml

"Most tracks have to be cleared by a different licensing authority for each country. "