Apple iTunes Europe launch set for June 15

[Mac Reporter]

Mon 7 June, 2004 12:22
By Bernhard Warner and Lucas van Grinsven
REUTERS
LONDON/AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - Apple Computer will announce next week its long-awaited European version of the iTunes online music store, sources familiar with the matter say.

The announcement will be made on June 15, said sources familiar with the necessary licensing negotiations between Apple and music labels.

An Apple spokesman in Holland declined to comment on the specifics of the launch. However, Apple issued a statement on Monday that it would host a press conference in London on June 15. Apple billed the event, "the biggest story in music is about to get even bigger".

Traditionally when Apple announces a new product or service, it is available straight away, adding to the speculation that the service will go live next week.

Apple launched iTunes in the United States over a year ago, capturing a commanding lead in the nascent market for music downloads.

At its peak, Apple sold 3.3 million downloads in a single week and over 70 million in its first year. In contrast, a collection of legal download services in Britain sold 500,000 between January and mid-May.
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