----------------------- from Rod ---- ----------------------------------------------- >On a side note, my wife just came back from Sydney and bought a few new >release CDs there. $10 each, brand new and shrinkwrapped (and in a >legitimate store!). At that price, the traditional stores might put >some real pressure on iTMS here in Oz. Maybe Apple Aust. can't get the >prices low enough here to compete? ------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------
While price margins are always stumbling blocks, the issue of iTMS Oz may have more to do with patent rights. I noticed that the Hong Kong firm Pat-rights (see below) has taken the trouble to lodge its patent in Oz. Vlad James ---------------------- excerpt from <http://www.smh.com.au/news> -------- >A Hong Kong firm is seeking a share of earnings from computer giant Apple, claiming its patented technology is being used in the successful iTunes music download service, the company's website says. >Apple marketing manager in Hong Kong, June Lau, confirmed on Thursday that local tech firm Pat-rights had contacted the Californian computer firm regarding the claims. Lau would make no further comment. >An entry on the Pat-rights website says that if Apple does not pay 12 percent of gross iTunes earnings by March 21 it will sue. >According to US Patent Office records, Keung Tse-ho - whom the website claims is Pat-rights' founder - was awarded a patent in December 2003 for a design that allowed the "protection of software against unauthorised use". >The design was also lodged with Australian patent authorities. ------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
