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iTunes: Don't Leave Home With Them

Posted by michael on from the apple-is-too-u.s.-centric dept.

BadDoggie writes "Politech is reporting that your 'ownership' of music purchased from Apple's iTunes isn't what everyone considers ownership. According to the license, 'Apple may use technologies to verify' that you have not 'use[d] or attempt[d] to use the service from outside of the [United States]'. This includes Canada. Apple's 'technologies' delete the bought-and-paid-for files with no refund and no replacement when & if you leave the U.S." Update: 07/25 16:23 GMT by P : The post to Politech says the songs would "disappear," not be deleted; from the context, it seems they were merely unplayable, not deleted. Update: 07/25 21:34 GMT by M : Apple has contacted the guy, and is apparently making him happy. However, the question remains: Apple definitely doesn't want people buying new songs from outside the U.S., but do they intend to generally permit foreign users to reauthorize (in effect, retain access to) the songs they have already purchased? Apple's policy is very unclear on that point.

9 of 725 comments (clear)

  1. Wow! Canada is *outside* the US! by Burb · · Score: 5, Funny

    You know, I never knew that before. Thanks, Slashdot!

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    1. Re:Wow! Canada is *outside* the US! by diverman · · Score: 5, Funny

      No it's not. Canada is just a US territory. We just let them think they're a country. ;)

      J/K! I tease my Canadian friends with this all the time. Heh. Always gets them fired up. *grin*

      -Alex

  2. Heres a question. by Unknown+Poltroon · · Score: 4, Funny

    WHY?!
    Sigh. I think its time to give up on online music, and since i refuse to buy cds anymore, Im just gonna go buy a kazoo.

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    All Troll + "offtopic" mods are meta moderated as "Unfair", because you abused the system.
  3. But... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What about a country that's under US administration? does that count?

    1. Re:But... by kmak · · Score: 5, Funny

      You mean Britain?

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      I'm not the devil.. just his advocate.
  4. Canada isn't part of the US? by IDigUNIX · · Score: 5, Funny

    "use[d] or attempt[d] to use the service from outside of the [United States]'. This includes Canada."
    Whew, for a second there I was thinking that we'd annexed Canada. Eh? I think that to be more clear, they should also specifically state that Mexico is outside the US. And, for those who are still in denial, they should state that New Jersey IS part of the United States.

    1. Re:Canada isn't part of the US? by isa-kuruption · · Score: 5, Funny

      I've lived in New Jersey 24 years, and I must say I have to contradict your statement.

      The following reasons apply:

      1) When leaving the country of New Jersey, you must always pay "export duties" on yourself. This is obviously an attempt by our ruthless dictator to keep us from leaving!

      2) When traveling to see friends and/or family, you are taxed dutifully by what are call "tolls". These tools are again the attempt by our ruthless dictator to limit our movement and freedom of expression beyong our own neighborhood.

      3) The currency exchange rate between US Dollars and NJ Dollars is horrendous. For example, a house that costs you $200,000 in Pennsylvania will translate to $500,000 just for crossing into our evil dictatorship. The worst part is, NJ does not have it's own currency so we must still use US dollars. The ruthless dictator obviuosly wants us to feel insignificant and poor compared to your Americans! We can't afford homes... we buy cardboard boxes and pay rent on sidewalk squares.

      4) Same exchange rate goes for car insurance!

      5) Speed limits are still 55mph on many roads! Even the residential ones! Obviously the evil dictator wants us all to conform to his strict policies!

      6) We can't pump our own gas! Yes, that's right, the evil dictator has his hencemen pump gas for us... depriving our God given right to fuel our own automobiles!

    2. Re:Canada isn't part of the US? by Windcatcher · · Score: 4, Funny

      There's a reason why we had "America Starts Here" on the welcome signs when you enter Pennsylvania...

  5. Re:C'mon guys by bsharitt · · Score: 5, Funny

    I bought a CD on Half.com that was originally distributed in Canada, but it still works in the US. I hope an RIAA swat team doesn't break down my front door and take my CD.