Apple and EMI Music Launch 'iTunes Pass' Short-Term Subscriptions

Is iTunes Pass something new to the iTunes Store? I found it on the new Depeche Mode album.

http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?id=306135774&s=143441

I assume we'll see a press release from Apple about it tomorrow. Reading the description on that page isn't really helping, but I don't think this is necessarily a subscription service.

I found this in the spanish itunes store terms but it's not in the UK, USA or NZ Terms:

iTUNES PASS

iTunes Pass gives buyers a variety of selected content (which can include songs, albums, music videos and editorial content) for sale by a particular artist, group or group of artists during a predetermined fixed period (the "Period Pass "). The full cost of the Pass iTunes is charged at the time of purchase. The purchase price of iTunes Pass not exceed fair market value of individual items offered as part of iTunes Pass. Do not offer refunds, returns or refunds. The content available at the time (if any) will be downloaded after the purchase from the iTunes Pass. The future of iTunes Pass is available for download as it is available on iTunes. To download, connect to iTunes and select "Check for Available Downloads" (Search for available downloads) the "Store" (store) in iTunes 8 (or "Check for Purchases" (Check for Purchases) the "Store" in iTunes 7 ). Any new content available as part of an iTunes download Pass may be purchased at the time. The buyer must connect to iTunes and download any content from the iTunes Left Pass in the course of 90 days at the end of the Pass Period (or such other period as may be specified in the purchase page), after which it is possible that the remaining content available for download as part of the purchase from the iTunes Pass.

I thought there must be some new feature being added to the store because when I bought some music an hour ago I had to agree to the store terms again. They always do that when the terms change.

it's new today, and available in the US store. Depeche Mode is the first band to use the concept.

odd. for the depeche mode album, there are only 14 tracks showing ($13.86), yet the pass is $18.99. i wonder what else will be included?? the TOS do say the pass price won't exceed fair market value.

odd. for the depeche mode album, there are only 14 tracks showing ($13.86), yet the pass is $18.99. i wonder what else will be included?? the TOS do say the pass price won't exceed fair market value.

anything thay add to the store between the 24th (today) and June 16th. so remixes, new singles, videos, and possibly other stuff.

It sounds a little weird. We'll have to see how this develops with other acts.

purchase iTunes? Why isnt it free?

so i take it this is only for pre-specified music, not an $18.99 pass to the entire iTMS . . . i think i'll stick to my personal choices in music purchasing, thanks.

edit:
re-read the article. ok, so from a given artist. that could be interesting depending on which artists are chosen for future pass thingies. as for current artist, not so much interested.