Indie No Show at iTMS Europe?

.......just tell us when it's delivered. These delays and obfuscations are doing nothing for the brand.

MacWorld.co.uk reports that talks between UK Independent labels and Apple may have hit an impasse over the weekend.

As a result the iTunes Music Store for Europe may open without these key artists.

According to MacWorld, the independent artists represnt 25% of music sales in the UK, and 22% across Europe.

Apple is expected to launch iTunes Europe on June 15th.

Apple should be leading the way with getting independents online, not this...

To me this isn't a big deal - just get the damn thing launched! ;)

Still waiting for iTMS Canada too... :(

.......just tell us when it's delivered. These delays and obfuscations are doing nothing for the brand.

One must walk before one runs.

Oh, ****! Apple might lose tons of cred by leaving out the indies. I keep wondering about those "unacceptable terms"...?

The indies are very important in the UK and Europe - especially among the young crowd - which I guess are Apple's principal target market. Although a lot of people here buy crap like Dido and Celine Dion, the folks likely to use ITMS are more likely to be interested in stuff on indie labels.

I still think the store should launch anyway but quickly sort out the problems with the indies as a priority.

Considering how well-received Apple's standard terms have been among independents in the US, I'm inclined to wonder if maybe Apple's not the problem here. Maybe the independent UK labels really are being unreasonable.

Or maybe Apple is really being unfair in some way. Maybe we'll never know :)

Hopefully they'll catch on before long.

who cares if europe doesnt have inde music, just get itms launched for petes sake!

The next step to world domination!!!

this makes me believe even more that apple is gonna surprise us with some super-low pricing and the labels want to milk apple/us for more cash.

come on stevie, surprise us!

This story is only significant within the context...

Have the other online music stores (i.e. Napster) managed to get these independent labels on their sites?

If it's no, then Apple is going to be great competition.

If it's yes, then Apple will be fighting an uphill battle.