Apple has secured the agreement of a key trans-European distribution deal which will enable it to extend the reach of its iTunes music store across Europe.
9to5Mac reports that pan-European rights for all members of the Performing Rights Society (PRS) covering most UK labels and artists have been secured, as well as content licenses from Peer Music and Chrysalis Music.
This agreement could be central to Apple’s European expansion plans following meetings in late 2009 with Euro-regulators and music rights bodies.
It is hoped that the deal will ensure that releases available in one country will also feature in iTunes stores in neighbouring territories. Good news for Apple should, therefore, be good news for European consumers as country-specific restrictions relating to online music sales fall away.
This move builds on the joint statement released by European authorities in conjunction with Apple in October 2009 which created the first Europe-wide roadmap for improving the availability of online music for consumers. More details of the agreement are yet to emerge.
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