Australian iTunes users get the shaft
p2pnet news | Music:- Relative to the number of people who get their music fixes via the P2P networks and/or the independent music and download sites, only a tiny handful of punters are willing to pay the exorbitant price Apple demands for its iTunes downloads.
And as p2pnet posted on Tuesday, “Apple’s efforts to stick it to its customers by charging way over the odds for its DRM-free downloads seem to have met with about as much success as its similar attempt to initially charge at least $200 more than its iPhone was worth.”
It was trying to charge $1.30 for so-called DRM-free downloads with the polluted versions still going for a rip-off $1 per.
But when Amazon came along with unencumbered mp3 downloads at 90 cents and $1 each, Apple was forced to back down.
That’s OK for US Macolytes, but over in Oz, iTunes users are getting sticky end of the wicket.
“The DRM-free iTunes Plus tracks, which include the EMI catalogue and tracks from independent labels, will continue to cost Australians $2.19 each, significantly more than the $1.69 price of its other DRM-protected tracks,” says the Sydney Morning Herald, going on:
When contacted about the issue, a local Apple spokesperson would only say: “We have no announcement at this time.”
But that shouldn’t surprise Australians. Apple sticks it to consumers any way it can, any time it can, and is infamous for charging different prices for different products in different countries.
“Apple could still unveil price cuts for Australia in the near future, but this is unlikely as its announcements are typically made at the same time globally,” says the story, adding:
“While there is a vast selection of online music stores in the US, the iTunes Store has few large competitors in Australia.
Actually, corporate offerings are half-vast. Only Apple can claim to have any kind of presence and is important only in the minds of the people who run the Big 4 organised music cartel.
Also See:
p2pnet – Apple cuts DRM-free iTunes to $1, October 16, 2007
Sydney Morning Herald – Australians miss out on iTunes price cut, October 17, 2007
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