We recently moved from Australia to the UK for a while to spend more time with extended family and further develop the already growing customer count in Europe.
We thought we’d covered everything in the move but I wasn’t prepared to be told by Apple that if I wanted to switch from the Australian to the UK iTunes store I would ‘loose’ all my content and updates for purchases made in the Au store. Specifically as a heavy iPhone apps user I’m concerned about;
“After you change countries, you won’t be able to upgrade the applications you purchased while your account was set to the previous country.”
Tell me if I’m wrong but I thought the internet was global and we lived in a globalised world, why does my right to use copyrighted material that I’ve paid for cease when I change countries, and what happens when I go back.
More importantly does Apple have jurisdiction to impose these conditions on me?
I’ve posted a copy of the email I got from them on this issue, click through to read.
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Dear David,
Welcome to Apple iTunes Store Customer Support. My name is Kishoth and I am glad to assist you today.
I understand that you would like to change the country associated with your iTunes Store account. I will be happy to provide the information you’ll need.
David, before you change the country in your account, please note the following:
1) You will be asked to provide a valid billing address in the new country as well as a payment method, such as a credit card, debit card, or iTunes Store GIft Card that was issued in the new country. Without these, you will not be able to change your account’s country.
2) Please be aware that content purchased from the iTunes Store is country-specific. If you wish to upgrade any of your iTunes Store content to iTunes Plus, you’ll need to do so before you change your account’s country. After you change countries in your account, you won’t be able to upgrade the content you purchased while your account was set to the previous country.
3) The content from the App Store is also country-specific. If you wish to upgrade any of your applications, please do so before changing countries. After you change countries, you won’t be able to upgrade the applications you purchased while your account was set to the previous country.
4) If you have any store credit, you will need to use the credit before you can change countries in your account.
5) If you have any items that are not downloaded or rentals that have not expired, you will not be able to change countries in your account until after you download the items or the rentals expire after the 30 days remaining.
The following steps explain how to change the country for your account:
1) First, make sure you’re using the latest version of iTunes. It’s available free of charge:
http://www.itunes.com/download
2) Click the following link to open iTunes and access the Apple Account Information page:
http://phobos.apple.com/accountSummary
3) Enter your iTunes Store account name and password, then click Account Info.
4) On the Apple Account Information page, click Change Country.
5) Enter the updated information and save your changes.
I hope the information provided above is helpful to you. Please feel free to contact us if you experience any issues and suggestions on our products and services. Meeting and exceeding your expectations are my top priorities.
Thank you for being a valued iTunes Store Customer.
Have a nice day!
Sincerely,
Kishoth,
iTunes Store Customer Support.
Please Note: I work for Sunday, Wednesday – Saturday 9.00AM-6.00PM CST
Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to assist you. You may receive an AppleCare survey email; any feedback you provide would be greatly appreciated.