iTunes: launch date 'put back to August': Apple delay highlights complexities racing new services.(Downloads)

Apple is targeting August for the launch of its European iTunes Music Store, it is understood.

The computer giant, which was telling labels before Christmas that it was eyeing up April as a launch date, is understood to have postponed its arrival in Europe, because of complications with licensing and currency issues.

Officially, Apple refuses to reveal any details of its launch plans. However, label sources tell Music Week that the company has targeted the late summer launch date.

European india Play it Again Sam confirmed at Midem that it had signed a deal to supply content to the Apple service. Pias Group and Vital co-chairman Michel Lambot says he believes the agreement, struck a week ago last Thursday, is the first deal to be signed with Apple by a content owner.

Plans for the European services from Apple, Real Networks and Napster dominated discussion throughout last week's Midem conference. Although all three services fielded senior executives to appear on panels at last Saturday's MidemNet, all declined to comment on their launch plans.

Both Apple VP of applications and internet service Eddy Cue and Chris Gorog, chairman and CEO of Napster and its parent company Roxio, blamed delays on a number of factors, including varied retail pricing structures and difficulties securing publishing licences.

"The same songs have different prices depending on whether you're in France or Germany," said Cue. "And there are different release dates by country. On the internet, that is hard from the customer's point of view."