“Sources familiar with the discussions between Apple, record companies, and music publishers, say Apple is seeking international music licenses for its iCloud service,” CNet said. “The licenses would be similar to those the company has already obtained for US operations, the sources said.”

Nothing has been put on paper yet, but expectations are that Apple will make some sort of announcement when it unveils the iPhone 5 on Tuesday.

Only music bought from iTunes will be permitted onto iCloud, Apple said. This could put a serious dent in their plans, but they are also going to be launching “iTunes Match”, which for $24,99 a year, will allow users to save music obtained via other means onto iCloud.

The iTunes Match service will be open to users in France, the UK and Germany, just as soon as Apple finalises deals with music right owners.

In June, Apple announced iCloud which made the wireless sharing of music, email, photos, calendars, and other data between mobile devices, tablets and desktop computers possible. DM

Read more:

• Apple seeks worldwide iCloud music rights in CNet;
• Apple wants its music rights to span the globe in The Atlantic Wire.

Photo: REUTERS