Apple vice president of applications and Internet services Eddy Cue said that Apple is still on track to bring its iTunes Music Store to European customers in 2004, but admitted that the company has run into licensing hurdles and other issues that have complicated its efforts. Cue’s comments come in a new Reuters article.
Cue reaffirmed that Apple will launch iTunes Music Store in 2004, but wouldn’t offer a specific date. He did note that Apple is endeavoring to help European music companies to “change some of their business practices,” such as their habit of staggering music releases in different countries at different times.
The article also cited licensing contracts and incompatible billing systems in different countries as other issues that have stymied Apple.