OT: iTunes

[Bill]

I assumed that while I was in Japan, I would be unable to use the US iTunes store. However, I was able to use it during my entire stay in Japan and purchase music and video normally. I guess that because the account was set up in the US, it allowed me to operate as though I was in the US.

Interestingly enough, I had no trouble accessing any US websites EXCEPT Disney.com which automatically switched over to the Japanese sight.

I'm sure that doesn't help most of you living abroad wanting to access the US iTunes store, but for those of you with laptops who travel to the US...that might be a way around?

 

[diegorivera2]

Interesting. I work for a large German software company and spend quite a bit of time in the EU. Most of the time I am able to access iTunes with access to US only content without a problem. However, I cannot use other services like Fox on Demand - as it reads just my IP address - and even in the states I often find myself linked to amazon.de depending upon the virtual private network for my laptop.

I'd be very interested to see if it would work for those who are traveling to the US as you suggested. François? JoeinJapan?

 

[Dirk]

Results for me (as a German) when traveling in the US are varying.

Those sites (say abc.com, scifi networks, fox on demand etc.) which are checking the IP to determine whether to grant access to their (free) online-on-demand video don't allow me in when at home (in Germany) but let me in once I am in the US and connecting via a local LAN / WLAN there, as then the IP address is one from the allowed zone (the US). Guess their should be a way around that check from Germany but never tried (afterall you "just" would need to disguise yiour IP-address).

Regarding iTunes: iTunes allows everyone around the globe to browse every iTunes store from everywhere (there is a little drop down menu at the bottom of the shop's front page from which to access the various versions). Alas, shopping is only possible in the shop for which a user has set up an account. A user can set up accounts in various international stores (say the US one and the UK and the German one or even more) and use them all on one PC/laptop. But to set up an account in an iTunes store a user has to provide a (home) address in the according country and provide a local payment method from that country, usually a credit card with a billing address in that country. The way around this is - as described manyfold on the web - to buy iTunes gift cards from the country whose iTunes store you are interested in if you don't have a credit card from that country (e.g. as a German I would have to buy US iTunes gift cards if I want to buy any of the interesting Disney releases on iTunes). Each iTunes gift card is bound to the iTunes store of the country it is officially sold in by Apple / Apple's partners. The only thing is, when setting up the account using the gift cards as payment method the user still has to present a valid local address - alas that is (at this point) not cross checked by iTunes, so one may provide any address.

Please note that I am NOT endorsing this method of gaining access to iTunes stores not destined for your country. Also, please understand that the general terms and conditions a user agrees to PROHIBIT such behavior. However, there seem to be many fans annoyed by the actions of labels such as WDR limiting interesting releases on iTunes to the US stor and therefore choosing this way - again due to decisions of the powers at labels such as WDR onto which e.g. Randy has no influence due to their prior signed international agreements giving away rights to certain partners...


Yours

Dirk

 

[BJWanlund]

The same could be said for other music labels, such as EMI, where they don't have enough Roxette tracks in the States for my liking, OR Anne Murray tracks, OR Dusty Springfield tracks.

BJ

 

[Dirk]

The same could be said for other music labels, such as EMI, where they don't have enough Roxette tracks in the States for my liking, OR Anne Murray tracks, OR Dusty Springfield tracks.

BJ

Yes, certainly this goes both ways. Depending on what music you are looking for US-citizens might prefer a different iTunes store than the US one. The reason though is always the same: the question of rights to certain material being handed off to international partners and thus the original label not being able to offer it worldwide. Originally it certainly made sense since the markets were clearly separated. Now with the digital media these separations suddenly become problematic since users actually have to cheat to get around them or even break the terms and conditions of agreements they enter into (e.g. with the iTunes stores). In the past things were easier in this regard since one always could mail order CD-releases from third countries, e.g. US-releases or Japan releases. Sure it was expensive but if one really wanted a copy one could get it legally ... no longer now with material such as the "20,000 leagues under the sea" soundtrack. Again: this is NOT aimed against Randy whose efforts and work is great. However, I love it how the record lables despite their falling sales numbers try to force their most loyal customers (fans) into taking illegal steps (infringing the iTunes contract) to get the releases.



One needs to wonder: why should a potential international customer (whether for the WDR releases on the US store or the Roxette releases on one of the European stores) go to extra length to buy an releases on iTunes of ordering an iTunes gift card via ebay for a surcharge, set up a fake registration with the iTunes store as he is still infringing the contract and thus is never obtaining a valid license in the music he pays for? Afterall he can easier just download the material most probably from some illegal website? Afterall that is easier, cheaper and in both cases he is not having a valid license to the material in my understanding...

But hey ... this is a problem only someone as immersed as Randy and the fans will notice. The regular management of the labels responsible for finding a solution won't bother about something like this. Surely there is no need to carter to the few remaining, loyal customers of the labels...




Yours

Dirk

 

[almandot]

Silly question but in lieu of doing the whole buying a gift card from someone thing can you just gift your fake US account the music you want and skip that step?