HT204411: What can I buy from the iTunes Store in my country?

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alexfromnootdorp
Level 1 (0 points)

Q: why is not every song available in a country?

Hi,

 

I am wondering about why not every song is available in every country, especially in the European Union. I mean, we are one region without real boundaries anymore. But if I get over a "boundary" like Germany and I hear a song overthere, which is there already popular. Why can't I get this song through iTunes in The Netherlands. The Netharlands are not really big and I travel a lot throughout the European Union, but I can not download songs here, because they are not availible in the Dutch iTunes Store.

 

I think it is a idea and a question. Why not throw away these "boundaries" and create an European iTunes store? Or making things faster available for every European country.

 

I hope you are going to think about this. This is better for you, and your customers. I think there will be more users, if there is a faster respond to make things available in every European country.

 

Kind regards,

 

Alex Thuring

iTunes, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.3)

Posted on Mar 18, 2013 12:22 PM

by King_Penguin,Solvedanswer
King_Penguin King_Penguin
Level 10 (134,193 points)
iTunes
A:

These are user-to-user forums, you are not talking to Apple here.

 

Apple can only sell content where the content providers grant them licenses to sell it. If there is a particular track/album that you'd like to buy that isn't currently available in your country's store then you can try requesting that it be added, but ultimately it's the record company's choice : http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunes.html

Posted on Mar 18, 2013 12:55 PM

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alexfromnootdorp

Q: why is not every song available in a country?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by King_Penguin,Solvedanswer

    King_Penguin King_Penguin Mar 18, 2013 12:55 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp
    Level 10 (134,193 points)
    iTunes
    Mar 18, 2013 12:55 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp

    These are user-to-user forums, you are not talking to Apple here.

     

    Apple can only sell content where the content providers grant them licenses to sell it. If there is a particular track/album that you'd like to buy that isn't currently available in your country's store then you can try requesting that it be added, but ultimately it's the record company's choice : http://www.apple.com/feedback/itunes.html

  • by varjak paw,Helpful

    varjak paw varjak paw Mar 18, 2013 12:57 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Mar 18, 2013 12:57 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp

    Sorry, but your understanding of boundaries in the EU is incorrect when it comes to digital downloads. Each country still maintains its own licensing and copyright structure, so Apple has to negotiate with each individual country's rights holders for permission to sell in that country, and often such holders refuse, or in some cases no one hold the rights to a given item. The EU has proposed a system to standardize copyright and licensing across the EU which would make an "EU iTunes Store" possible, but the last I read anything on the proposal is was nowhere near being implemented, and until it is Apple can do nothing. Content will remain on a country-by-country basis.

     

    By the way, please be aware that you are not communicating with Apple when you post in these forums. The only people who will reply to your posts are your fellow users.

     

    Regards.

  • by alexfromnootdorp,

    alexfromnootdorp alexfromnootdorp Mar 18, 2013 2:03 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Mar 18, 2013 2:03 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp

    Thank you for answering both! It both answered my questions!

     

    But I think that is weird that digital downloads are different than buy a CD ( that is for the whole European Union) but that is my opinion... That would be something to consider than for the European Commission or something like that.

     

    I thought this was communication with apple and other users. But now I know better! Thanks again!

     

    Kind Regards,

  • by varjak paw,

    varjak paw varjak paw Mar 18, 2013 2:21 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp
    Level 10 (169,883 points)
    Mar 18, 2013 2:21 PM in response to alexfromnootdorp

    CDs are a physical product that once sold to a reseller can be then resold by the reseller basically anywhere the reseller wishes. The record companies tried to prevent that but were unsuccessful in most countries. The region code system used on DVDs is a weak attempt to control distribution of physical copies instead.

     

    Digital downloads, however, require licensing from the content owners and in exchange for their permission they require that the download stores prohibit cross-border sales. With the content owners often being different from country to country and the differing copyright laws, this makes it virtually impossible for any download store to operate across country borders.

     

    Again, this is indeed something the EU would have to implement. If you want all the "nitty gritty" about their discussions, see:

     

    http://ec.europa.eu/licences-for-europe-dialogue/

     

    Regards.