Apple talking to get repeat iTunes music downloads
updated 07:40 am EST, Fri March 4, 2011
Apple deal would allow more than one iTunes clip
A trio of sources claimed late Thursday that Apple was pressing labels for a long-requested deal to allow customers as many downloads as they like of an iTunes song they've purchased. Discussions with major labels and independents would give listeners the same rights they have as at some stores, where buying a track once gives users permission to download it again on any device they own, including iOS devices. Bloomberg was told it could be ready by the middle of the year, or possibly in time for the iPhone 5 launch.
The approach would finally give customers a true option to restore their purchases. Apple will often let users re-download all their purchased tracks in the event a computer is wiped out without a backup, but usually only as a one-time exception. Unlimited wouldn't be as convenient as a true backup but would help reassure buyers with a safety net should the worst happen.
For iOS users, it would also give them much more independence. Apple is willing to activate iPads and iPhones in-store but often doesn't warn customers that they need to regularly sync with iTunes on a computer to backup the content. Those who buy songs directly from iOS devices but don't sync often carry the risk of losing whole collections if they lose the device or have to restore it. Repeat download rights would reduce the need for a computer backup.
Even for regular users, the permission would give them a similar flexibility to what they have in the iOS and Mac App Stores, where they could skip the sync process entirely if it wasn't obtained outside of iTunes.
One of the same sources for the iTunes deal leak also supported believes Apple was looking at a MobileMe media locker that would go free, letting users download or stream their entire collection on computers and iOS hardware, likely including any content stored in but not necessarily purchased from iTunes. The service was conspicuously absent from the iPad 2 launch, but Apple has promised a major iTunes and MobileMe network capacity upgrade in the spring that could supply just such a service.
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Joined: Oct 1999
Incorrect
Amazon UK do NOT allow you to download your music again, it is a once only download.
Here is what the Amazon web site states:
Can I download another copy of my MP3 files after the initial purchase?
Your Amazon MP3 Music purchases can only be downloaded once. After you have successfully downloaded the file to your computer at the time of purchase, we recommend that you create a backup copy.
We are currently unable to replace any purchased files that you delete or lose due to a system or disk error. If you encounter a problem with an MP3 file immediately after purchase, please click the "Contact Us" button in the Customer Service box in the right-hand column of this page so we can determine how to help you.