iTunes Music Store Could Reach Windows in October

Newsweek is reporting that Apple's iTunes Music Store will become Windows friendly as soon as next month. Although Apple has remained mum, the grand opening of its Windows store may come ahead of schedule, bringing to the PC legal music downloads that Mac users have thus far enthusiastically adopted.

Apple recently announced that the iTunes Music Store sold its ten millionth song on September 3. The company boasts that the music service is averaging sales of over 500,000 paid downloads per week.

While the legal distribution of copyrighted music online is taking hold, the recording industry is lashing out at pirates, including in one instance, a 12-year-old girl. The RIAA has sued 261 file-sharers over what it deems "egregious" copyright infringement.

Apple Corps, an entity owned by the Beatles rock group, has recently begun to litigate over Apple's sale of music. According to Apple Corps, iTunes and the popular iPod digital music player infringe upon an agreement struck in the past to safeguard its copyrights.

In response, Apple issued a brief statement stating, "Over a decade ago, Apple signed an agreement with Apple Corps, a business controlled by the Beatles and their heirs, which specified the rights each company would have to use the 'Apple' trademark. Unfortunately, Apple and Apple Corps now have differing interpretations of this agreement and will need to ask a court to resolve this dispute."

Despite the legal snafus, Apple is banking on its music. Others have followed Apple's model, including Microsoft, which is experimenting with its own music service by testing the waters in Europe.