Amazon MP3 to Go International This Year

It looks like selling DRM-free music didn't bring on the apocalypse after all. Not only did all of the big four music labels finally get behind the idea of selling shackle-free digital music (Sony BMG, the last holdout, made its tracks available on Amazon just a few weeks ago), but Amazon announced earlier today that its Amazon MP3 store will become internationally available starting this year, dealing making the Seattle-based company even more of a contender against Apple's iTunes.

The company's press release is notably vague on how it defines "this year," making a point of giving no specific dates for any of its websites' international rollouts.

For that matter, there's no word on how the "international" aspect of MP3 sales will work. Right now, Amazon and most other digital music stores follow strict geographic guidelines as to who has the right to download tracks. For instance, iTunes users in the U.S. can't download tracks from iTunes in Japan, while no one from outside the U.S. can currently download from the Amazon MP3 store. However, this restriction doesn't apply to music CDs; a Canadian shopper can happily buy a CD from Amazon.co.uk if it isn't yet available in North America.

So how far will Amazon's international rollout go? By this time next year, will Contemode fans in Boston be able to download tracks freely from Amazon.co.jp? If so, I'll finally believe that record companies and the major digital music stores are taking music lovers seriously.