iTunes and release dates

[hammell]

I'm not sure this is the right place for this, but since I looked for the information on iTunes, which is on my Mac, it'll have to do...

A new album I was looking for is due to be release on the 16th of September in the US, today in the UK and it's already been released in the Australian iTunes store. I use the US store to buy music but since I can't get it there, I downloaded it from "other" sources (and I've already paid for my pre-order from the US store).

So here's my question - who decides these strangely diverse release dates? Why not all on the same day internationally? And surely the record companies must realise that people are going to get music as soon as it's available internationally?

 

[koffiejunkie]

Probably the record companies - you know, distribution rights in each country, etc. This annoys me too. There are quite a few Australian bands that I like but their music is on the Australian store only.

 

[burn]

Record company rant

Record companies are really making people turn to piracy with the way they are dealing with digital distribution. When are they going to realise that the same model that applies to CDs does not work online. Especially for any music that is not easily found in Musica

I want to know how it is that I can buy CDs overseas and get them shipped here and that ok (yes I pay taxes but that has nothing to do with reason itunes is blocked). I used to use this method all the time. But if I want to buy it digitally and download it, the record companies have a kitten. Are they not the same? These companies are really their own worst enemies. As NOFX say: "Dinosaurs will die".