I wholeheartedly agree, though as much of an Apple fan as I am, I believe that it wasn't just Apple that "got it right" as much as the fact that anyone outside of the music industry could "get it more right" than what the music industry could.

Whilst being in Australia holds me outside of a perspective of iTMS but in perspective with the iPod, I do understand that the iTMS model would work well, real well in fact. I've been waiting for iTMS AU for a very long time (just like iPhoto books). I believe that the iTMS DRM is fair, the UI ease of use astounding, and that I "own" the music after purchase appealing. *sigh* I guess I just keep waiting and saving my dollars until iTMS AU is released.

Sorry I got side-tracked there. Yes, the music industry is run by alieans. And to be sure, they are green and ugly, think about money a lot, and didn't make it past Junior High commerce.

Not only are they greedy for money by trying to raise the price of songs in the iTunes Music Store, but, from my understanding, you cannot purchase songs in a foreign music store unless you have an account with a valid address in that country. Why don't record labels want anyone in the world to be able to purchase music from them? Apparently, it's a legal issue with the record labels and not a technical issue with Apple.

I guess they figure that people from a country only like music from that country. Maybe the labels get more money from people paying import prices in physical stores? Although I've bought music from overseas (as vinyl records and CDs) online and had no problem getting it. Use the exchange rate to determine how much to charge me in my native currency and add an "import" tax if that will make the record label's lawyers happy, but don't prevent me from purchasing the music in the form (and under the DRM) that I desire.

I mean, there are less legal ways of getting these foreign songs. I'll gladly and legally support the artist (and the record label in the process) if the record labels would only allow it to happen. Stupid record labels, meet us half way on this.

My guess is that labels here buy exclusive rights to distribute international artists locally. Labels on both sides of the ocean probably feel these sort of deals benefit them, so they don't want it to be cirumvented. Again, just a guess.